Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 6 (ANI): Relentless monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, with 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts, and 16 landslides reported since June 20, leaving 78 people dead and crippling infrastructure across the hill state, officials said Sunday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for “extremely heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and squall” through July 6, with more heavy rainfall forecast for July 8 and 9.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 50 of the deaths so far were directly linked to rain-induced disasters — including landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts — while 28 were due to road accidents triggered by treacherous conditions. The death toll includes 14 people killed in flash floods, eight in drowning incidents, eight from electrocution and falls, and others from lightning strikes, landslides, and snakebites.
Mandi district emerged as the worst-affected, recording 17 deaths, followed by Kangra (11), Kullu (3), Chamba (3), and Shimla (3). Chamba also saw the highest number of road accident fatalities at six.
Widespread Infrastructure Damage
The rains have caused extensive damage to public and private property, estimated at over ₹57 crore. As of Sunday evening, 243 roads remained blocked, 241 electricity transformers disrupted, and 278 water supply schemes rendered non-functional, the SDMA said.
Mandi alone accounted for over 180 road blockages and the highest number of damaged water schemes. In Kullu district, 36 roads are blocked, while Kangra reported 12. The Una district saw 41 transformers damaged, and 17 water schemes were disrupted in Chamba.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said “the monsoon has just begun, and already Himachal is witnessing extensive damage. The epicenter of destruction is Mandi district.” He added that large-scale restoration work is underway, with priority on reopening roads, restoring electricity, and reactivating water supply. “In Seraj constituency alone, 20 transformers are missing, and power lines are down over several kilometers,” he said.
Agnihotri also raised concerns about the unusual intensity of rainfall early in the monsoon season, noting that some areas saw as many as 10 cloudbursts occur simultaneously.
Relief Efforts Intensify
National and state disaster response teams have been deployed in critical areas for rescue and recovery efforts. Search operations continue in Mandi and Kullu districts, where several people remain missing.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla flagged off three trucks carrying relief materials — including 540 blankets, tents, shoes, socks, buckets, candles, and matchboxes — from Raj Bhavan in Shimla to the flood-hit Thunag area in Mandi. He pledged further support as needed and raised alarm over unchecked tree-felling and illegal mining contributing to the scale of the disaster.
“I have not gone there personally yet as security officials advised me conditions are still not safe, but I will visit later,” the Governor told ANI, adding, “we will continue to assist people in the affected areas as needed.”
Authorities have urged residents to remain on high alert as rainfall activity is expected to remain strong in the coming days. The SDMA continues to monitor the situation closely while coordinating restoration of essential services and providing aid to displaced families. (ANI)
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