SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh — A massive rain-triggered landslide struck the crucial Dhalli-Sanjauli bypass on Thursday afternoon, completely bringing traffic to a standstill on the outskirts of Shimla. While no casualties or injuries were reported, the incident has highlighted the vulnerability of the hill state’s road network just ahead of the monsoon season.
The landslide occurred around 5:15 PM, sending a large volume of mud, rocks, and uprooted deodar trees crashing onto the carriageway. The hillside collapse forced authorities to immediately shut the bypass in both directions.
The 34-km-long bypass serves as a vital artery interlinking Shimla’s Victory Tunnel with Dhalli, allowing motorists to bypass the highly congested Sanjauli stretch. Its closure severely disrupted access to upper Himachal and popular tourist destinations, including Kinnaur, Kufri, Narkanda, Naldehra, Mashobra, and Tattapani.
Clearance Operations and Evacuations
Following the incident, the Public Works Department (PWD), district administration, and police rushed heavy earthmoving machinery to the site to clear the debris. After hours of intensive operations on a war footing, authorities managed to partially reopen the stretch for one-way traffic under strict police supervision.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Shimla (Rural), Manjeet Sharma, confirmed that the landslide occurred dangerously close to residential properties. Buildings deemed to be under immediate threat from the destabilized hillside have been safely evacuated, and officials are currently assessing the structural risks to the surrounding area.
Shimla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Singh stated that restoration work is ongoing to resume two-way traffic. He advised commuters to avoid the route for the time being and follow the instructions of deployed personnel. To ease the resulting congestion, traffic is being diverted to alternative routes, with many vehicles directed toward the Shoghi-Mehli bypass.
Heavy Tourist Influx Meets Pre-Monsoon Showers
The landslide adds a layer of complexity for Shimla Police, who are already managing an intense summer tourist surge. According to officials, over 15 lakh vehicles have entered the hill town over the past 45 days, prompting a five-point traffic management strategy across the city.
The region has experienced continuous light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning, over the past few days. The local Meteorological Centre has warned of further weather disruptions, issuing a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph across several districts, including Shimla, Kullu, and Mandi, through the weekend.
Authorities have urged residents and tourists to remain vigilant, adhere to designated parking areas, and keep track of weather and traffic advisories as the wet spell continues.
