Shimla Faces Monsoon Deficit, Highway Landslide Warnings and Heritage Railway Disruptions

Shimla and Himachal Pradesh are weathering a difficult monsoon season marked by a nine per cent rainfall deficit as of September 6, a new scientific study warning that sixty per cent of the Chandigarh-Shimla highway falls within high landslide-susceptibility zones, and the cancellation of ten heritage toy train services on the Shimla-Kalka railway line after soil erosion left a critical section of track hanging mid-air. The IMD has forecast continued weak monsoon activity through mid-September, with no major weather event expected in the near term.

🤝 IMD Reports Nine Per Cent Monsoon Deficit in Himachal Pradesh as Weak Activity Persists

Himachal Pradesh has recorded a nine per cent deficit in cumulative monsoon rainfall as of September 6, 2026, with actual precipitation of approximately 588 millimetres against the normal figure of around 648 millimetres for that date, according to the India Meteorological Department. Shobhit Katiyar, Head of IMD Himachal Pradesh, told ANI in Shimla that monsoon activity had remained notably weak across most of the state for several days, with only very light or isolated rainfall recorded across districts including Shimla, Mandi and Kangra. Moderate rain was observed in parts of Sirmaur. Katiyar forecast that the weak pattern would persist for four to five more days with no heavy-rain alert in place for any part of the state. Sunny conditions were likely at several locations. The IMD indicated that some revival in monsoon activity could be expected after September 11-12, primarily over the lower hills, plains and mid-hill areas, though no significant weather event was anticipated during the seven-day outlook period. The first week of September had paradoxically recorded around fifteen per cent more rainfall than normal, but this above-average burst was insufficient to offset the cumulative shortfall built up during the preceding months. The department said most parts of Himachal Pradesh were likely to experience below-normal rainfall through the remainder of September, with the exception of parts of Kangra, adjoining areas of Chamba and some portions of Mandi. [6]

🗳️ Study Warns Sixty Per Cent of Chandigarh-Shimla Highway Sits in High Landslide-Risk Zones

A scientific study has found that nearly sixty per cent of the Solan-Shimla stretch of National Highway 5, the vital Chandigarh-Shimla corridor, falls within moderate to very high landslide susceptibility zones, highlighting the road's profound vulnerability during the monsoon months. The research identifies structural and geological factors along the NH-5 alignment that make specific sections of the highway particularly prone to slope failures, rockfalls and debris flows when rainfall is intense or sustained. The Chandigarh-Shimla highway is the primary artery connecting Himachal Pradesh's capital to the rest of India and carries a heavy volume of passenger and commercial traffic year-round, making the risk assessment findings particularly consequential for public safety and economic continuity. Landslides along this stretch have repeatedly caused closures lasting days to weeks, stranding travellers and disrupting supply chains that serve Shimla and the highland districts it feeds. The study was published in August 2026 and calls for targeted engineering interventions at the most vulnerable sections, along with enhanced real-time monitoring systems that can issue early warnings when rainfall thresholds associated with slope failure are reached. Authorities have been urged to treat the findings as an actionable risk map and to prioritise slope stabilisation works before the next monsoon season. [4]

🎉 Soil Erosion Forces Cancellation of Ten Shimla-Kalka Toy Train Services

Relentless monsoon rain has forced the cancellation of ten services on the celebrated Shimla-Kalka toy train route after soil erosion left a critical section of the historic narrow-gauge line hanging mid-air above destabilised ground. The Shimla-Kalka railway, a UNESCO World Heritage railway built in the early twentieth century, traverses steep Himalayan terrain through numerous tunnels and bridges, making it particularly susceptible to landslides and slope instability during the monsoon. A section of the track lost its earthen foundation following prolonged rainfall and soil slippage, rendering it unsafe for train operations and prompting authorities to suspend services on the affected segment without a fixed restart date at the time of the cancellation announcement. For commuters who rely on the toy train as an affordable and scenic alternative to road travel between the plains and the hill capital, the cancellations represent a significant inconvenience, particularly during a period when road conditions on parallel routes are also affected by weather. The railway administration dispatched engineers to assess the extent of the damage and to determine what remedial works would be required before services could safely resume. The heritage status of the line adds complexity to any repair work, as interventions must meet standards that preserve its UNESCO designation. Updates on restoration progress are being awaited by tourism operators and daily commuters alike. [5]

Sources: [6] indiagazette.com · [4] The New Indian Express · [5] ET TravelWorld