Cloudburst in Himachal’s Kotkhai: 323 Roads Closed Across State; Floods Hit 11 Districts of UP, Schools Shut in Lucknow
New Delhi: The cloudburst in Himachal’s Kotkhai has once again highlighted the increasing intensity of monsoon-related disasters in northern India. Late Wednesday night, the mountainous Khaltunala area of Kotkhai witnessed torrential rains around 3 a.m., triggering sudden flash floods. The water, mixed with debris, rushed into nearby streams, burying a petrol pump and more than six vehicles under layers of mud and rocks. Fortunately, the petrol pump employees managed to escape in time, avoiding casualties.
This was not an isolated incident. By Wednesday evening, four separate cloudbursts were reported in Kullu and Shimla districts. In Kullu, these occurred in Shrikhand and Tirthan Valley, while in Shimla district, they hit Nanti village, Facha, and Kashapath. The surging waters caused rivers and streams to overflow, leaving several villages cut off and triggering landslides along key routes.
The Indian Army played a crucial role in rescue operations, saving four people trapped in floodwaters and moving them to the Pooh military camp. Local authorities have also deployed teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to the affected areas. Heavy rainfall led to the closure of schools in Una, Banjar subdivision of Kullu, Jubbal in Shimla, and Thunag in Mandi district. The Himachal Disaster Management Authority confirmed that 323 roads have been closed in the last 24 hours, disrupting both local and tourist movement.
Meteorologists say that the cloudburst in Himachal’s Kotkhai is part of a broader weather pattern linked to a strong monsoon trough. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Telangana, an orange alert for 11 states including Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and a yellow alert for 21 states such as Rajasthan and Bihar. The IMD warns that more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days, which could worsen the situation in low-lying and hilly areas.
In Delhi, heavy rain since Wednesday night has caused severe waterlogging in several parts of the city, slowing traffic to a crawl. In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, flood-like conditions have forced the administration to shut all government and private schools up to Class 12 for the day. At least 11 districts in Uttar Pradesh have been impacted by overflowing rivers, damaged roads, and power outages.
Local residents in Kotkhai describe the experience as “terrifying,” with the roar of rushing water and collapsing slopes heard through the night. Many have lost livestock, while orchards — a key source of income in Himachal — have been washed away. Shopkeepers in the affected areas reported damage to stored goods worth lakhs of rupees. Tourism, a major economic driver for Himachal, is also expected to suffer as road connectivity remains disrupted.
The state government has appealed to people to avoid unnecessary travel to hilly areas and to stay updated on official weather warnings. Relief camps have been set up in safer zones for displaced families. The administration is also working to restore electricity and drinking water supply in affected areas. Meanwhile, engineers are working round the clock to clear landslides and reopen major highways, but heavy rains continue to hamper progress.
Experts say that incidents like the cloudburst in Himachal’s Kotkhai are becoming more frequent due to changing climate patterns. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns are intensifying extreme weather events, putting both infrastructure and communities at greater risk. They recommend investment in better drainage systems, early warning mechanisms, and stronger disaster preparedness plans to minimize the impact in future.
For now, residents of Kotkhai, Kullu, Shimla, and flood-hit districts of Uttar Pradesh remain on high alert. With the monsoon far from over, authorities continue to monitor rivers and weather conditions closely, urging citizens to prioritize safety over travel and commercial activities.
