Himachal landslide kills 13, including infant, in Pangi Valley
Synopsis
A rockfall on one of Himachal Pradesh's most dangerous mountain roads killed 13 people — including a six-month-old infant — after debris crushed and set ablaze a Tata Sumo in Pangi Valley on 24 July. The vehicle had been held back by a prior road closure; the moment it was allowed through, the mountain came down again.
Key Takeaways
A landslide near Karunallah on the Udaipur-Pangi road killed 13 people , including a six-month-old infant , on 24 July .
The Tata Sumo was carrying 15 passengers from Kullu to Pangi Valley ; only two survived by jumping clear before impact.
The vehicle caught fire after being buried under mountain debris near Karunallah in Lahaul-Spiti district .
BRO and Lahaul and Spiti Police launched rescue operations amid difficult weather and ongoing debris risk.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu directed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti to personally oversee relief at the site.
IMD has forecast heavy rain across Himachal Pradesh districts through 26 July , heightening landslide risk.
A devastating landslide in Himachal Pradesh's remote Pangi Valley claimed 13 lives — including a six-month-old infant — on Friday, 24 July, when a wall of rocks dislodged from a mountain struck a Tata Sumo carrying 15 passengers on the Udaipur-Pangi road in Lahaul-Spiti district. The vehicle caught fire after being buried under debris near Karunallah. Only two passengers survived, having jumped clear of the vehicle seconds before it was crushed.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The Tata Sumo was travelling from Kullu to Pangi when the rockfall struck near Karunallah on the Udaipur-Killar road. According to police, the road had been shut the previous day due to landslide activity. All passengers were stranded at Tindi overnight; once the road was reopened, the vehicle proceeded — only to be hit by the fresh collapse.
The Udaipur-Killar road, which winds through the remote Chamba region, is among Himachal Pradesh's most landslide-prone corridors, particularly during the monsoon season. The area has been experiencing heavy and sustained rainfall for several days prior to the incident.
Rescue Operations and Challenges
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel launched rescue operations immediately after the incident was reported. Teams from the Lahaul and Spiti Police, along with local administration officials, also rushed to the site. Pangi Resident Commissioner Amandeep Singh confirmed the deployment of rescue teams.
Operations were severely hampered by continuing inclement weather and the risk of further debris falls. The district administration has urged residents not to act on unverified information or rumours, and to rely solely on official updates.
What the Government Said
Deputy Commissioner Kiran Badana confirmed to reporters that 15 people, including the driver, were on board the vehicle at the time of the incident. Bharmour legislator Janak Raj said the Deputy Commissioners of Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti had been directed to accelerate rescue and relief efforts.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu expressed grief over the deaths and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti to proceed immediately to the site to personally supervise operations. He also instructed officials to extend all possible assistance to the families of the deceased and ensure the best available treatment for the two survivors.
Weather Outlook and Risk Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across several districts of Himachal Pradesh through 26 July, raising concerns about further landslide activity on vulnerable mountain roads. The Killar-Udaipur corridor, already closed once this week, remains at elevated risk.
Point of View
And the next collapse comes without warning. The Udaipur-Killar corridor has a documented history of rockfalls, yet real-time slope monitoring and mandatory traffic holds tied to rainfall thresholds remain absent. Thirteen deaths — including an infant — on a road that was already shut the day before raises hard questions about the protocols governing reopening decisions. The BRO builds and maintains these roads; it must also own the risk assessment that decides when they are safe to use.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Pangi Valley landslide on 24 July?
A massive rockfall struck a Tata Sumo carrying 15 passengers on the Udaipur-Pangi road near Karunallah in Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, killing 13 people including a six-month-old infant. The vehicle caught fire after being crushed under debris; two passengers survived by jumping out moments before impact.
Where exactly did the Himachal Pradesh landslide occur?
The landslide occurred near Karunallah on the Udaipur-Killar road in Pangi Valley, Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh. The road passes through the remote Chamba region and is known to be highly vulnerable to rockfalls and landslides during the monsoon season.
Why was the vehicle on the road despite landslide warnings?
The Udaipur-Killar road had been closed the previous day due to landslide activity, leaving all passengers stranded at Tindi overnight. Once the road was officially reopened, the vehicle proceeded toward Pangi — and was struck by a fresh rockfall shortly after.
What rescue measures were taken after the landslide?
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel launched rescue operations immediately after the incident. Teams from the Lahaul and Spiti Police and local administration also reached the site. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu directed the Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti to personally supervise relief efforts.
What is the weather forecast for Himachal Pradesh after the landslide?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall across several Himachal Pradesh districts through 26 July, raising the risk of further landslides on mountain roads including the already-vulnerable Udaipur-Killar corridor.
