landslides-delay-kalka-shimla-trains-by-3-hours

Heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in Solan district on Sunday, causing significant delays to train services on the historic Kalka–Shimla heritage railway line.

 

According to officials, all trains on the route were delayed by almost three hours as debris blocked key sections of the track. Efforts are underway to clear the debris and resume services safely.

 

The first landslide occurred near Tunnel No. 10, close to Koti railway station at kilometre 16/18-19. A second slip happened between Koti and Sanwara stations, around kilometre 25/5-6. So Train No. 52457 (Kalka to Shimla) was halted at Koti station and Train No. 52452 was stopped at Gumman station as a precaution.

Earlier in the day, rains lashed Shimla and surrounding areas after warnings were issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Light to moderate rainfall is expected across many areas in Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Hamirpur, Mandi, and Kangra, with a chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas.

 

The IMD has also issued a special advisory for Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti, forecasting light rain in isolated areas over the next few hours.

Orange alert for June 29–30

 

The IMD had earlier issued an orange alert for June 29, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Himachal Pradesh. This includes a risk of flash floods, rising river levels, and more landslides in several regions.

 

Sandeep Kumar Sharma, senior scientist at IMD’s Shimla Centre, said nearly all parts of the state received rainfall in the past 24 hours.

 

"Almost all regions in Himachal Pradesh received rainfall during the past 24 hours. The highest rainfall was recorded in Palampur at 76 mm, followed by Banjar at 75 mm. Moderate rainfall of around 55 mm was recorded in Sirmaur. People should stay away from rivers and streams; landslide risk remains high," Sharma said.

 

Intense rains are likely on June 29 and 30, he added. He urged people to stay away from rivers and landslide-prone areas.

 

"The spell of heavy rain will resume on June 29. We have issued an orange alert for five districts, Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur, for heavy to very heavy rainfall," he said.

 

The predictions also suggests that Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla could experience significant rainfall during this period.