Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda on Wednesday visited Baga village in Mandi district to meet families affected by the recent cloudburst and heavy rain. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur also accompanied him during the visit to the severely rain-affected region.
This year’s monsoon has taken a heavy toll on the hill state. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has stated that the death toll has risen to 85, with 54 people losing their lives in natural disasters like landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, and drowning. Meanwhile, 31 individuals have died in road accidents since the monsoon began on June 20.
The scale of destruction has been staggering. The SDMA’s report estimates a monetary loss exceeding ₹718 crore, affecting both public and private properties. At least 129 people have been injured, 340 homes completely destroyed, and over 10,000 animals and poultry lost across the state.
Mandi district has become the worst-affected, with 17 confirmed deaths, 247 homes damaged, 149 cowsheds collapsed, and 225 livestock lost.
As of Tuesday evening, 198 roads remained blocked, 159 power transformers were out of service, and 297 water supply schemes were disrupted, hampering access, rescue, and relief work in many areas. Efforts to restore infrastructure are ongoing, but the damage is extensive and will take time to fully address.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during his visit to affected areas in Shimla’s Dhalli and Bhatta Kufar, acknowledged the widespread destruction in rural areas. “We’re doing everything possible to help the affected families,” he said, adding that compensation plans and restoration proposals will be taken up in the next Cabinet meeting.
As the heavy rain continues in the region, the state remains on high alert. The authorities have urged local residents and tourists to exercise caution, especially in landslide-prone areas.
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