Over 400 pilgrims rescued as severe flash floods hit Kinner Kailash Yatra route, Himachal Pradesh

413 pilgrims were rescued by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) after a cloudburst triggered flash floods along the Kinner Kailash Yatra route in Himachal Pradesh on August 6.

The pilgrims were stranded in Kinnaur District and rescued using a rope-based traverse crossing technique. The operation involved one Gazetted Officer, four Subordinate Officers, and 29 ITBP personnel, in coordination with a 14-member team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a weather warning at 06:30 local time (LT) on August 6, forecasting light to moderate rainfall across most of Himachal Pradesh.

400+ pilgrims were rescued after a washed-away bridge at Kangrang Nallah, during Kinner Kailash Yatra. Area was pitch dark with only portable lights,this 9+ hrs operation was powered by pure commitment.
Salute to @ITBP_official & @NDRFHQ for this incredible overnight operation. pic.twitter.com/tGA8eeduMa

— DC Kinnaur (@DCKinnaur) August 5, 2025

प्रदेश में हो रही भारी वर्षा के कारण किन्नौर कैलाश यात्रा मार्ग के कुछ हिस्से बाधित हो गए, जिससे कई श्रद्धालु मार्ग में फंस गए थे।
स्थानीय प्रशासन और @ITBP_official के समन्वित प्रयासों से श्रद्धालुओं को सुरक्षित बाहर निकालने का कार्य युद्धस्तर पर किया जा रहा है।

अब तक सैकड़ों… pic.twitter.com/x3K1cstf3c

— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) August 6, 2025

Districts including Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Mandi were expected to receive intense to very intense rainfall through the day.

The state has been experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall since Monday, resulting in landslides and the blockage of 449 roads. The worst affected is Mandi District, where 295 roads are currently closed to traffic.

The Chandigarh–Shimla National Highway has also been shut due to landslides at Chakki Mor in Shimla.

Due to a cloudburst in Raldang Khad near Ribba, NH-05 is blocked over approx. 100–150 m with muck & boulders. BRO and Administration team are on the site. No loss of life or property reported as of now. pic.twitter.com/rXJjlUTNyc

— DC Kinnaur (@DCKinnaur) August 5, 2025

Since the onset of the monsoon in June, floods, cloudbursts, and other rain-related events have claimed at least 194 lives across Himachal Pradesh.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), around 1 738 houses have been fully or partially damaged, with 55 flash floods and 48 major landslides reported so far.

A total of 309 roads — including National Highway 305 — remain blocked due to landslides and flash floods. Additionally, 236 water supply schemes and 113 distribution transformers (DTRs) are non-functional, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).