Sangla: Heavy monsoon rains continue to impact Himachal Pradesh, with a suspended Bailey bridge in Kinnaur district collapsing after remaining unstable for several days. The incident has disrupted road connectivity to the Sangla Valley, adding to the growing list of infrastructure damage caused by persistent rainfall across the state.
Officials said the bridge had become unsafe after a landslide washed away the ground beneath it last week. The structure was left hanging before eventually giving way overnight, forcing authorities to suspend movement along the route.
The state continues to grapple with widespread disruptions as around 320 roads remain blocked due to landslides, falling debris and road damage. Power supply has also been affected, with more than 200 electricity transformers reported out of service in different districts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Himachal Pradesh has recorded significantly higher rainfall than usual during the first ten days of July. Against the normal average of 67.8 mm, the state has received more than 104 mm of rainfall, representing an excess of about 54 percent.
Although the weather department has not issued any orange alerts for the coming days, a yellow alert remains in force for Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur. These districts may experience heavy showers at isolated locations, prompting authorities to advise caution, especially in landslide-prone areas.
The prolonged rainfall has also caused a sharp drop in daytime temperatures. Bhuntar has recorded one of the biggest departures from normal, with the maximum temperature nearly 10 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average. Similar conditions have been observed in Solan, Manali and Shimla, where cooler weather has replaced the usual July heat.
Meteorologists expect rainfall intensity to ease temporarily over the next few days, allowing temperatures to rise gradually by two to five degrees Celsius. However, this respite may be short-lived.
The IMD has indicated that monsoon activity is likely to strengthen again during the third week of July. Between July 18 and 24, another active spell is expected to affect the hill state, with the possibility of heavy rainfall in several mountainous regions.
Authorities have urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel through vulnerable stretches, remain alert for weather updates and stay away from rivers, streams and unstable slopes as the monsoon season continues to pose risks across Himachal Pradesh.
