Himachal Floods: Una submerged after record-breaking rainfall, panic grips residents
38-Year-Old Rain Record Shattered; Roads Turn Into Rivers, Hundreds of Homes and Shops Flooded
Babushahi Bureau
Una (Himachal Pradesh), August 3, 2025: In a devastating turn of events, the city of Una in Himachal Pradesh was submerged under floodwaters after torrential rainfall shattered a 38-year-old record, triggering chaos and panic among residents. The district recorded a staggering 222.8 mm of rainfall in just six hours—breaking the previous record of 198 mm set in 1988.
The relentless downpour from 2 AM to 8 AM on Saturday wreaked havoc across the region.
Low-lying areas, government offices, homes, and hundreds of shops—stretching from Lalsingi to Rakkad Colony—were flooded. Key drainage systems including Kotla Khurd-Lalsingi and Rampur-Nilaghat drains overflowed, causing water to rise above bridges, paralyzing traffic and making movement treacherous.
Entire stretches of road resembled rivers, bringing the town to a standstill. Vehicles were stranded, power cuts were reported in several areas, and people were forced to wade through waist-deep water. Fear gripped many as drain waters flowed over bridges, especially in Kotla Khurd and Nilaghat, raising concerns of collapse.
Locals were reminded of the catastrophic floods of 1988, when 400 mm of rainfall in two days had crippled Una and prompted a visit from then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The trauma from that period was reignited on Saturday as the city once again bore the brunt of nature’s fury.
“This rain has taken us back in time... the fear is the same, the helplessness is the same,” said an elderly resident of Rampur.
The district administration has put rescue teams on alert and advised people to avoid bridges, low-lying areas, and fast-moving drains. Relief efforts are underway, but many families remain stranded in water-logged homes.
With more rain predicted in the region, the situation remains critical. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and follow advisories closely.