All educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district will remain closed on Tuesday following continuous heavy rainfall, landslides, and blocked roads, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) announced.
The order, issued by Deputy Commissioner and DDMA Chairperson Torul S. Raveesh under the Disaster Management Act, said the step was necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff as weather conditions worsened.
Reports from Kullu and Banjar subdivisions highlighted cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides that damaged infrastructure, washed away footbridges, and blocked major roads. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shimla, has also issued a Yellow Alert for August 19 in Kullu.
The closure applies to all schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, Anganwadi centres, and professional institutes—both government and private—across Kullu and Banjar.
Meanwhile, the toll of the ongoing monsoon havoc in Himachal Pradesh has risen to 268 deaths since June 20, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA). Of these, 140 were due to rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, electrocution, and drowning, while 128 occurred in road accidents.
The official report further recorded 336 injuries and 37 missing persons, with estimated cumulative losses crossing ₹2,194 crore. Damage includes more than 27,385 houses, over 2,274 shops and structures, as well as the loss of 1,193 cattle heads and nearly 26,000 poultry birds.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid travel in vulnerable areas until weather conditions stabilize.