Himachal Pradesh is experiencing a worsening crisis as a result of the unrelenting monsoon rains, which have drastically disrupted daily life, connectivity, and essential services in multiple districts. In its Cumulative Loss Report dated July 22, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed that 135 people had died as a result of the devastating weather conditions. Of these, 76 people died from rain-related incidents, including landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and electrocution, and 59 people died from traffic accidents.
The effects on infrastructure have been extensive and incapacitating. According to the SDMA, 197 water supply schemes have experienced significant disruptions, 534 power distribution transformers are not operating, and 432 roads are still blocked. Entire villages are cut off and emergency response is hampered by the inaccessibility of major road networks and rural connections.
Districts worst affected by the calamity include Mandi (17 deaths), Kangra (16 deaths), Kullu (8 deaths), and Chamba (7 deaths). These areas have been hit by a spate of natural disasters, including cloudbursts in Mandi, flash floods in Kangra, and landslides in Shimla and Solan, which have damaged not only roads and bridges but also homes, cattle sheds, and vast stretches of farmland.
In a span of just over a month—since June 20—Himachal Pradesh has recorded 25 major landslides, 40 instances of flash flooding, and 23 cloudbursts, revealing the scale and frequency of the extreme weather events this monsoon season. The economic impact has been staggering. The SDMA estimates the total financial loss at ₹1,24,734.67 lakh. More than 540 houses have been completely destroyed, leaving thousands displaced. Relief camps have been established to shelter those affected.
Also Read: Monsoon havoc claims 125 lives in Himachal since June 20
Rural families, many of whom depend on animals for daily sustenance and livelihood, have been devastated by the loss of more than 21,500 poultry birds and 1,296 livestock. For these communities, the loss of years of stability and hard work is far more significant than the numbers. The devastation has only deepened the existing agrarian crisis, making recovery even harder. Adding to the challenge, key infrastructure across multiple government departments—like the Public Works Department (PWD), Jal Shakti Vibhag (JSV), power, education, animal husbandry, and rural development—has been severely impacted, slowing down essential services when people need them most.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local teams are in charge of the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Emergency personnel are evacuating residents from high-risk areas and restoring essential services around-the-clock. The state government has initiated ex-gratia payments to the families of the deceased and displaced individuals.
Residents are being cautioned by the SDMA to remain vigilant, stay away from landslide-prone areas, and closely adhere to weather advisories. The primary administrative priority continues to be restoring the water supply, roads, electricity, and other vital services. Even though the state is still recovering from one of the worst weather storms in recent memory, it is on high alert as the monsoon continues, anticipating additional rainfall and possible damage.
Also Read: Close call: Railway bridge partially collapses under moving train
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