Relentless monsoon fury continues to pound Himachal Pradesh, leaving a grim toll of 51 dead and 22 others unaccounted for as flash floods, landslides, and road mishaps tear through the hill state.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), which released a cumulative damage report on Tuesday, the devastation spanned all 12 districts, with Mandi, Kangra and Chamba among the worst affected. The report, covering the period from 20 June to 1 July, recorded destruction of homes, livestock deaths, and extensive damage to public infrastructure.
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“A total of 51 deaths have been reported so far due to multiple causes, including flash floods, drowning, landslides, lightning strikes, and road accidents,” the SEOC said. “The number of missing persons currently stands at 22, with Mandi district reporting the highest—10 deaths and all 34 missing persons—primarily due to flash floods and cloudbursts.”
While Kangra leads in fatalities with 13 deaths, Mandi and Chamba reported six each. Kullu recorded four lives lost, while districts like Kinnaur, Shimla, Una, Sirmaur and Solan reported fewer casualties.
In a fresh wave of incidents on July 1, seven new fatalities were reported: one each in Bilaspur and Mandi, three in Kullu from a road accident, and two in Chamba.
The SEOC recorded 103 people injured in monsoon-linked incidents, while damage to private properties has been pegged at ₹88.03 lakh. At least 204 houses have been hit, 22 of them completely destroyed—along with 84 commercial or agricultural structures including shops, cowsheds, and labour huts.
However, public infrastructure has borne the brunt of the disaster, with losses estimated at ₹283.39 crore. Sectors under the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti Vibhag and electricity board have reported severe setbacks. Essential services including health, education, fisheries, and animal husbandry have also been impacted.
Adding to the distress in rural areas, 84 head of cattle have perished. In June alone, the state lost 830 animals, underscoring the scale of damage to agrarian households.
The SEOC has activated emergency protocols and is operating a round-the-clock control room. “These figures are cumulative and subject to updates as field reports continue to arrive. All district authorities are on high alert and conducting rescue, relief, and restoration operations,” a spokesperson said. The public helpline 1070 remains open for emergency reporting.
With more rain forecast in the coming days, the state government remains wary of fresh landslides and river swelling.
The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall across the hill state. Residents in high-risk zones have been advised to remain vigilant and comply with evacuation orders where issued.
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