Massive Landslide Blocks NH-707 in Himachal Pradesh, Stranding Students and Patients

A massive landslide struck National Highway 707 near Uttari, close to Shillai, in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, shutting down the critical Paonta Sahib-Shillai-Gumma route since the night of July 15, 2025. Triggered by heavy monsoon rains, the landslide dumped tonnes of debris onto the highway, halting all vehicular movement. This vital corridor, connecting remote areas like Ronhat, Nerwa, and Chaupal, has left commuters stranded, with students, patients, and employees facing significant disruptions in their daily routines.

Massive Landslide Blocks National Highway

 Students unable to reach schools, patients struggling to access hospitals, and employees cut off from workplaces have voiced frustration over the sudden disruption. The situation is compounded by rockfall on the Nahan-Shri Renukaji road, further limiting travel options in the region. Vegetable farmers, reliant on the highway to transport produce to markets, are also facing economic losses, highlighting the broader impact of this natural disruption on the local economy.

जिला सिरमौर के पावंटा साहिब-गुम्मा हाईवे पर शिलाई में दरका पहाड़... pic.twitter.com/w4aj9Ek091

— Rajesh Sharma (@sharmanews778) July 16, 2025

Traffic Paralysis on NH-707

The district administration, in coordination with the National Highways Authority, has mobilized heavy machinery to clear the debris and restore traffic on NH-707. However, continuous rainfall and unstable terrain pose significant challenges, delaying efforts to reopen the highway. Light vehicles have been diverted to the narrow Gangtoli-Kunhat-Naya link road, while heavy vehicles are rerouted via the Haripur-Gumma road through Uttarakhand. These alternatives, however, are inadequate for the volume of traffic, prolonging commuter woes.

Landslide Hits Uttari

The landslide is part of a broader wave of monsoon-related disruptions in Himachal Pradesh, with 257 roads reported closed across the state. Authorities are urging caution, as more rain is forecast, raising fears of further landslides. The administration is also exploring slope stabilization measures to prevent recurring incidents. For now, the focus remains on restoring NH-707, a lifeline for Sirmaur’s residents, to ease the mounting hardships faced by the community