Monsoon havoc in Himachal Pradesh: 72 dead, 40 missing, over 500 roads blocked amid torrential rainfall
Relentless monsoon rains have devastated Himachal Pradesh, leaving 72 dead, 40 missing, and over 500 roads blocked amid widespread floods and landslides. Authorities remain on high alert as rescue efforts continue and heavy rainfall is forecast to persist till July 7.
Himachal Pradesh is reeling under the fury of the monsoon, with relentless rains triggering deadly cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides across the state. According to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, at least 72 people have lost their lives, 40 are missing, and over 100 have been injured since the onset of the monsoon on June 20.
14 cloudbursts and Rs 700 crore in damages
Chief Minister Sukhu reported 14 separate cloudbursts have struck the state, severely damaging infrastructure. Initial estimates by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) peg the losses at Rs 541 crore, but the CM stated the actual losses could be closer to Rs 700 crore, with reports still coming in.
Roads blocked, bridges washed away
Heavy rains have led to the closure of more than 500 roads across the state. Mandi district, the worst-affected, has reported 176 road closures alone. In total, 14 bridges have been washed away by flash floods, further paralysing movement and relief operations.
Red and orange rainfall alerts issued
The local Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts for Sunday.
An orange warning has also been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Solan, Shimla, and Kullu districts for Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, indicating the continued threat of extreme weather.
Rainfall measurements since Friday evening show Jogindernagar received 52 mm, Nahan and Palampur 28.8 mm, and Una 18 mm, with moderate rain reported in other regions.
District-wise Death Toll
- Mandi: Over a dozen deaths, with 40 people reported missing
- Kangra: 13 dead
- Chamba: 6 dead
- Shimla: 5 dead
- Deaths also reported from Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una
Essential services disrupted
The natural calamity has affected over 500 electricity distribution transformers, leaving tens of thousands without power. Around 281 water supply schemes have been disrupted, leading to an emerging crisis in access to clean water and food. A total of 300 transformers are non-functional.
Livestock and Property Losses
Over 300 livestock, including 164 cattle, have died in the floods. Additionally, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Relief and rescue operations ongoing
The state government has launched large-scale relief and search operations, particularly in the Mandi district. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities are engaged in search-and-rescue missions.
The Chief Minister announced Rs 5,000 as emergency rental assistance for each affected family, promising the government's full support. Former CM Jairam Thakur visited flood-hit areas in his constituency in Mandi's Siraj Valley.
Union government extends support
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with CM Sukhu, offering central assistance and relief support not just for Himachal Pradesh but also for other monsoon-hit states like Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Public advisory
Authorities have issued a public safety advisory in light of the continuing extreme weather, urging residents to stay away from rivers, streams, and other water bodies due to the risk of sudden flash floods, and to avoid landslide-prone and unstable areas, particularly in hilly terrain.
People are advised to monitor weather alerts and follow instructions from the Meteorological Department and disaster response teams while also preparing for possible disruptions to essential services such as electricity, road transport, and water supply by stocking up on necessary items. With heavy rainfall forecast to continue until at least Monday, July 7, officials have warned that the situation may worsen, and the state remains on high alert as emergency teams work around the clock to prevent further loss of life and restore vital infrastructure.