July 23, 2025: A major tragedy was narrowly averted on Tuesday after a portion of the retaining wall of a railway bridge over the Chakki River in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district collapsed due to continuous heavy rainfall. The incident occurred moments after a passenger train had passed over the bridge.
The collapse took place near Dhangu village amid ongoing monsoon showers that have caused widespread disruption across the state. Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries reported. However, the timing of the collapse — occurring seconds after the train crossed — has raised serious concerns about the structural integrity of railway infrastructure in the region.
According to railway officials, train movement along the affected route has been suspended as a precaution. A technical team has been deployed to assess the structural stability of the remaining bridge components.
“Due to heavy and continuous rainfall, a section of the retaining wall at the Chakki bridge has collapsed. Fortunately, no passengers were harmed, and immediate action was taken to halt train traffic in the area,” a railway spokesperson said.
Residents of Dhangu claimed they had noticed signs of damage in the wall in recent weeks and had reported it to the authorities. “We saw cracks and water seepage, and had warned local officials. This could have been a disaster,” said Ramesh Kumar, a local villager.
Himachal Pradesh has been experiencing relentless rainfall, leading to landslides, flash floods, and road blockages in several districts including Kangra, Mandi, Chamba, and Kullu. The Chakki River, like many others in the region, is flowing above the danger mark, adding further strain on bridges and retaining structures.
The State Disaster Management Authority has issued red alerts for vulnerable zones and is coordinating with local administrations to monitor infrastructure and respond to emergencies. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has instructed all departments to stay on high alert and ensure swift action wherever public safety is threatened.
This incident has brought renewed attention to the need for preventive infrastructure maintenance, especially in areas prone to extreme weather events. Experts have urged that ageing railway and road bridges across Himachal be regularly inspected and retrofitted in line with changing climate patterns.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has assured a thorough inspection and repair of the Chakki River bridge before any further movement of trains is allowed. Passengers have been advised to check train schedules for cancellations or diversions in the coming days.
As heavy rains are forecast to continue in the region, emergency teams remain on standby to manage any further incidents.
