SOLAN: A fresh landslide near Kumarhatti on the Nalagarh-Ramshehar-Shimla highway in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district has caused a major section of the road to sink nearly 15 feet. The incident has resulted in a complete suspension of traffic, leaving commuters and locals severely stranded while posing a grave flash flood threat to low-lying areas.
Large cracks have surfaced along multiple stretches of the road, creating highly dangerous conditions for movement. Local officials noted that the identical stretch had caved in last year on August 6 as well, highlighting recurring structural vulnerabilities during the monsoon season.
As a precautionary measure, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local administration evacuated a residential property located dangerously close to the damaged portion of the road. With vehicular movement disrupted, commuters and local residents are facing severe inconvenience.
High-level officials—including Nalagarh MLA Hardeep Bawa, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Narendra Ahluwalia, Tehsildar Husan Chand, PWD Executive Engineer Parvarsar Singh, and Assistant Engineer Rakesh Kumar—arrived at Kumarhatti to assess the ground situation.
“The PWD department and NDRF personnel inspected the spot and evacuated residents living adjacent to the vulnerable road section,” said SDM Nalagarh Narendra Ahluwalia. “We appeal to the public to strictly avoid using the closed route and follow administrative guidelines in view of potential risks.”
Adding to the emergency, massive debris from the heavy landslide between Kumarhatti and Mittian completely blocked the natural flow of the Chikni Khadd. The blockage has created a multi-meter-long, massive artificial lake with water accumulating several feet deep. Authorities warned that this temporary debris dam could burst at any moment, potentially unleashing sudden flash floods in downstream areas.
Issuing an urgent warning, SDM Ahluwalia strictly advised the public to stay away from Chikni Khadd and its surrounding bank areas. Families residing in downstream locations and near the riverbed have been instructed to immediately ensure their family members’ safety and remain vigilant. The administration requested citizens to contact local authorities immediately upon noticing any emergency, sudden change in water levels, or signs of impending danger.
