Cloudburst calamity: Kullu grapples with washed out roads, farmer woes

Heavy rains and cloudbursts on June 25 have left a trail of destruction across Kullu district, with 37 roads still blocked and numerous villages cut off. Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh confirmed that 21 roads in the Anni subdivision, 11 in Banjar and five in Kullu are currently under repair. She said all departments have been directed to speed up restoration work while damage assessment continues.

The situation remains tense with a yellow weather alert in place for Kullu district until July 2. Authorities have advised people to stay away from rivers and streams and asked trekkers to reconsider plans amid the uncertain weather. Water and power supply systems also took a major hit. Over 100 disrupted water supply schemes have now been restored, while efforts are ongoing to repair more than 30 damaged transformers.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is continuing its search operation in the Sainj Valley for two individuals swept away during the floods.

Road closures have severely impacted daily life. Many villagers are forced to walk long distances, with some areas completely isolated. In Parli Panchayat, a cloudburst on Shilagarh hill washed away key road sections and caused the collapse of a Bailey bridge into a local nullah. Raj Malhotra, the panchayat president, said restoration might take months and urged immediate intervention by the government, administration, and NHPC.

Local farmer Bhole Ram from Thela village expressed concerns over agricultural losses. With fruit harvesting at its peak, the damaged roads are preventing farmers from transporting produce to markets, resulting in spoiled crops and lost income.

The Sainj Valley has once again suffered flooding from the Pin Parvati River for the third consecutive year. This year’s cloudburst raised water levels drastically, damaging homes, fields, and approximately 30 hectares of crops, as per the Agriculture Department.

Several villages, including Bakshaul Bihali, Nidahara Bihali, and Sharan Bihali, have lost all connectivity after a critical bridge was washed away. Residents of Sharan Bihali now trek an extra two kilometers across the river to fetch essentials. Villager Gehar Singh lamented that despite repeated floods over the years, no substantial aid has reached them. “Our homes are damaged year after year, but help never comes,” he said.

Himachal Tribune