60 deaths, Rs 400 crore losses: How Himachal is battling the worst monsoon in years

Himachal Pradesh is struggling to deal with the affect of unrelenting monsoon rains which have triggered large harm throughout the hill state.

A collection of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides have resulted in over 60 deaths, with dozens nonetheless lacking, and damages estimated at over Rs 400 crore, in line with the State Catastrophe Administration Authority.

Districts like Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla have seen the worst of the destruction. And with the India Meteorological Division (IMD) issuing contemporary alerts for extra heavy rain, officers concern the worst is probably not over but.

Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at the unfolding state of affairs throughout Himachal.

Dozens useless, many lacking — Mandi hit the toughest

Since June 20, greater than 60 individuals have died in rain-related incidents throughout Himachal Pradesh, with one other 40 nonetheless lacking, in line with the State Emergency Operations Centre.

Mandi district has recorded the very best variety of deaths at 17, adopted by Kangra with 13 deaths, Chamba with six, and Shimla reporting 5 fatalities. Different districts, together with Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una, have additionally reported deaths.

The affect has been significantly extreme in Karsog and Thunag subdivisions, the place sudden cloudbursts have destroyed properties, roads, and farmlands inside minutes. Different areas like Dharampur and Bagsayed have additionally confronted intensive harm.

In a single a part of Mandi, a whole village has been worn out. A reduction camp has been arrange for these displaced, and the Indian Air Power carried out air drops of meals packets for stranded residents on Thursday.

In keeping with PTI, 5 reduction camps have been established up to now, sheltering 402 rescued individuals, with 348 of them from Mandi alone.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu mentioned 14 separate cloudbursts had been reported because the onset of the monsoon. He mentioned his authorities “stands with the disaster-affected households” of the state and, in line with ANI, will present Rs 5,000 to every household as “renting lodging”.

#WATCH | Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, “For the reason that rains started, 69 individuals have misplaced their lives, 37 individuals are lacking, 110 individuals have been injured, and damages price roughly Rs 700 crore have been incurred… Roads and water initiatives… pic.twitter.com/z2ZPDpvGwJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2025

Search and rescue efforts are actually in place, with a give attention to areas like Thunag, the place relentless rains have introduced every part to a halt.

Two groups from the Nationwide Catastrophe Response Power (NDRF) and the State Catastrophe Response Power (SDRF), alongside police and residential guards, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations within the district.

Faculties shut, bridges gone, and crores misplaced

In Shimla, heavy rains have flooded a number of faculties, forcing closures and inflicting misery amongst college students and fogeys.

“It’s raining closely. Water is getting into our lecture rooms, our garments and books are soaked. Our academics are telling us it’s higher to remain at residence,” mentioned Tanuja Thakur, a pupil in Shimla, in a press release to ANI

“Our college is surrounded by bushes. There’s at all times a concern {that a} tree may fall. Fortunately, we’re secure for now,” she added.

Movies circulating on-line present terrifying scenes, rivers swollen with rainwater tearing by villages, sweeping away properties and leaving trails of destruction of their wake.

Heavy rain has crippled Himchal Pradesh, with greater than 250 roads blocked, and 614 energy strains, and 130 water methods disrupted.#HimachalWeather pic.twitter.com/zbojXqgcLn

— Vani Mehrotra (@vani_mehrotra) July 1, 2025

Throughout the state, tons of of homes have been broken or destroyed. At the least 14 bridges have been washed away, and practically 300 animals, together with 164 cattle, have perished within the catastrophe.

The general harm to infrastructure is staggering. In keeping with an NDTV report, greater than 500 roads are at the moment closed, severely impacting connectivity. Over 500 energy distribution transformers (DTRs) have failed, leaving 1000’s with out electrical energy.

Water provide has additionally taken a serious hit, with 797 consuming water schemes rendered non-functional over the previous few days as a result of heavy rain.

DC Rana, Particular Secretary of the State Catastrophe Administration Authority, confirmed the dimensions of injury. “We have now recorded over Rs 400 crore in losses up to now, based mostly on entries in our system. However the precise determine is prone to be a lot greater,” he mentioned.

“Proper now, our precedence is on search, rescue, and restoring important companies. An in depth harm evaluation will take extra time.”

Earlier in the present day Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Minister and promised reduction and assist, not only for Himachal however different states affected by the monsoon, together with Gujarat and Rajasthan.

IMD predicts extra rain within the coming days

The India Meteorological Division (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for a number of districts throughout Himachal Pradesh, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in remoted areas between July 4 and July 10. A crimson alert — indicating extraordinarily heavy rainfall — has been issued particularly for July 6.

Amid ongoing reduction operations, officers are additionally drawing consideration to the broader local weather disaster behind these excessive climate occasions.

“These occasions are a consequence of world warming and local weather change. Himachal is just not untouched by these impacts,” mentioned Rana.