Devastating Flash Floods Wreak Havoc in Himachal Pradesh's Apple Belt

A flash flood triggered by a cloudburst has severely impacted Himachal Pradesh's apple belt, leading to the closure of roads, power outages, and damage to orchards. The incident has raised concerns among farmers, especially apple growers, during the peak growing season.

A sudden flash flood triggered by a cloudburst has caused significant damage to the Rohru-Rampur Road in Himachal Pradesh's apple belt, according to officials on Saturday.

The cloudburst, which occurred late at night in the Rampur area of Shimla district, also led to the closure of 132 roads, including National Highway 5. A landslide near the Negulsari sliding point in Kinnaur has isolated the district from Shimla while 1,235 power supply schemes were disrupted.

Authorities have reported that several roads are blocked due to landslides and flash floods across Sirmaur and Chamba districts. Despite the damage to orchards in the Taklopch panchayat of Rampur, no human casualties have been reported, said Deputy Commissioner (Shimla) Anupam Kashyap.

(With inputs from agencies.)