Rail damage between Taksal and Gumman disrupts services to Shimla
Heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh has damaged a section of the Kalka–Shimla railway between Taksal (Parwanoo) in Solan district and Gumman railway station, resulting in the cancellation of several trains serving Shimla and stranding passengers at stations in the lower hills, officials and contemporary reports said.
As a consequence of the track damage, long-distance and local trains including the Shimla Shivalik Deluxe Express and the Shimla Him Darshan Express were cancelled until 13 September, according to reporting. Several other services to Solan, Koti and Dharampur were also listed as cancelled.
- More than 400 passengers and 40 crew members, including IRCTC staff, were reported stranded at Solan, Koti and Dharampur.
- Authorities arranged five buses and two tempo travellers to transport stranded passengers to Kalka station.
- Passengers provided with food packets and bottled water; around 120 passengers later continued by train number 13052, whose departure time was changed to 1:30 AM.
- Cancelled local train numbers reported include 52456 (to Solan), 52452 (to Koti), and 52460 and 52454 (to Dharampur).
Rail users travelling to or from Shimla are advised to check updated train statuses with Indian Railways before planning journeys, and to allow extra time for transfers to road transport at Kalka.
Air and road impacts in Himachal; localised damage in Shimla
The heavy downpour also affected air operations at Kangra (Gaggal) Airport. Two IndiGo flights could not land owing to torrential weather, though SpiceJet flights were reported to have landed safely. The rainfall triggered landslips in multiple districts, including a landslide in Shimla’s Khalini area that damaged two parked cars along the roadside.
The storms and associated landslips were reported from Kangra, Sirmaur, Nahan, Shimla, Solan and Mandi districts, according to contemporaneous coverage.
"The damage to the Kalka–Shimla track and the resultant cancellations have affected passengers and operations across the lower and mid-hill sectors; relief and transport arrangements were made to clear stranded people to Kalka," read the reporting on the incident.
Weather alert and precautions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for parts of Himachal Pradesh from 31 August to 3 September, advising of continued heavy rainfall in some areas. A yellow alert indicates that people should be alert and aware of the possibility of disruptive weather.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Damaged rail section | Taksal (Parwanoo) — Gumman |
| Stranded | 400+ passengers, 40 crew (Solan, Koti, Dharampur) |
| Train cancellations | Services including Shimla Shivalik Deluxe & Shimla Him Darshan cancelled till 13 Sept |
| Air impact | Two IndiGo flights unable to land at Kangra; SpiceJet landed |
| IMD alert | Yellow alert: 31 Aug–3 Sept |
Residents and travellers in Shimla and surrounding districts should take these precautions while the IMD alert remains in force:
- Monitor official IMD and district administration advisories for changes to weather warnings and travel restrictions.
- Allow extra time for travel; expect transfers between rail and road at Kalka and other junctions.
- Avoid parking or stopping near slopes and gullies; be cautious in areas prone to landslips such as Khalini.
- Carry basic emergency supplies—drinking water, snacks and a charged mobile phone—if travel is essential.
Rail and airport authorities are managing relief and rescheduling; affected passengers should contact Indian Railways or their airline for case-specific information and refunds or rebooking options.
