Shimla: The annual Manimahesh Yatra in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district has been severely disrupted this year due to heavy rains and landslides, leaving 10 pilgrims dead, 4 missing, and 7 injured, according to officials on Saturday.

The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reported that continuous rainfall and adverse weather triggered multiple landslides, cutting off key routes and stranding thousands of pilgrims along the trek. DC Rana, Special Secretary to SDMA, confirmed that the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals while extensive rescue operations by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local mountain rescue teams are still underway.

“Persistent rainfall had blocked the road link between Bharmour and Chamba, leaving pilgrims stranded near streams and on high-altitude trekking routes. Once the weather cleared, rescue teams launched major operations to evacuate the pilgrims. So far, around 6,000 pilgrims have been safely shifted to Chamba,” Rana said.

Helicopter sorties were deployed to airlift sick and physically weak pilgrims, with several receiving treatment at Chamba Medical College. While the Chamba-Pathankot highway has been restored and mobile connectivity partially resumed, the Chamba-Bharmour route remains blocked at several points due to landslides.

Local authorities have provided buses where roads are open, while stranded pilgrims on blocked trails have been guided through alternative foot tracks. Food and shelter arrangements have been ensured with the help of langar committees, local eateries, and police assistance. Additional RTRF teams have also been deployed for evacuation on trekking paths.

So far this year, Himachal Pradesh has reported 164 deaths in rain-related disasters, with 40 people still missing, and 153 fatalities in road accidents, according to SDMA. Most of the deaths during the Manimahesh Yatra were due to oxygen deficiency and hypothermia. Between August 24 and 26, heavy rainfall caused extensive damage in Chamba, Kangra, and Lahaul-Spiti districts, resulting in estimated losses of ₹2,700 crore.

The yatra is scheduled to officially conclude tomorrow, while Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is visiting the affected regions to oversee relief operations.