The impact of continuous rainfall in Himachal Pradesh is now being felt on rail services as well. Passenger train operations on the Pathankot-Jogindernagar railway section of the historic Kangra Valley narrow-gauge railway have been suspended again due to heavy rain. All four scheduled trains operating from Pathankot have been cancelled.
The Kangra Valley rail service was restored recently after remaining closed for a long period. The railway route had been affected after the railway bridge over the Chakki River was damaged during heavy rain and flooding in 2022. Passenger rail service on the route resumed in June 2026, nearly four years later.
On July 31, train services on the Pathankot-Jogindernagar section were restored after a suspension of around 10 days. Services had remained suspended since July 21 due to heavy rain. The restoration had raised expectations that movement on the historic railway route would become regular, but renewed rainfall has again disrupted operations.
With rainfall intensifying again in Himachal Pradesh, the railway has decided to suspend operations in view of passenger safety. Continuous rain in hilly areas can create risks of soil movement along railway tracks, landslides, waterlogging and weakening of the ground beneath the tracks.
The Kangra Valley railway line is among Himachal Pradesh's important historic railway routes. The narrow-gauge line connecting Pathankot with Jogindernagar links several important areas of the Kangra Valley. Along with stations such as Kangra and Palampur, the route provides rail connectivity to several smaller towns and rural areas.
The suspension has directly affected local passengers. The trains on this route are used not only by tourists but also by students, employees, rural residents and small traders for daily travel. With the sudden cancellation of trains, passengers may have to rely on road transport.
Pathankot is an important starting station on the railway line. Passengers use the station to travel to different parts of the Kangra Valley. The cancellation of all four trains has affected travel plans for passengers heading beyond Pathankot, who may now have to use buses or private vehicles.
Road traffic on hilly routes in Himachal Pradesh can also be affected during periods of rain. As a result, the suspension of rail services can create additional difficulties for passengers when landslides or traffic disruptions affect road routes.
The restoration of the Kangra Valley rail service followed a prolonged disruption after the railway bridge over the Chakki River was washed away in 2022. The railway subsequently carried out repair and safety-related work on different sections. Passenger movement resumed on the historic line after services were restored in June 2026.
The safety of the railway route has remained a challenge during the monsoon. Railway tracks in hilly areas are more exposed to the effects of rainfall than tracks in plains. Several sections pass between slopes and hills, where continuous rain can increase the risk of soil and rock movement.
Railway services on the route have previously been temporarily suspended during heavy rain. In July, train operations were also halted for 10 days because of heavy rainfall. Services resumed on July 31 after weather conditions improved and the track was inspected.
The railway's immediate priority is to ensure the safety of the track. After the rain subsides, railway employees and engineers can inspect the affected sections. The condition of the track, bridges, culverts, soil erosion and hill slopes will be assessed before a decision is taken on restoring services.
If soil movement or debris is found along any section of the track, it will have to be cleared first. A technical inspection of the track will then be carried out. Passenger train operations can resume only after the railway certifies that the route is safe.
Passengers need to check the latest railway status before planning journeys on the route. Conditions on hilly railway lines can change according to the weather, and operational decisions may also change accordingly.
The Kangra Valley rail service is also important for tourism. Tourists travelling to Palampur, Kangra and surrounding areas use the historic train. The railway route passes through mountains, valleys and rural areas and is considered an attraction in itself. Suspension of train services during the rainy season may affect tourism activity.
Restoring the railway line was intended to improve connectivity for local residents as well as tourism. After disruptions linked to the Chakki bridge, the resumption of services restarted passenger movement on the route. The latest cancellation of trains due to continued rainfall has again affected passengers.
The repeated disruption of the Kangra Valley rail service during the monsoon also highlights the need for additional safety arrangements on hilly railway networks. Drainage along tracks, monitoring of slopes and regular inspection of sensitive locations become important during periods of continuous rainfall.
The railway line is also part of Himachal Pradesh's historical heritage. Ensuring its safe and sustainable operation remains important for the local area.
At present, operations of all four trains have been suspended because of rainfall and track conditions. The railway is monitoring the situation with passenger safety as the priority. Services can resume after weather conditions improve and the track is found to be safe.
