Himachal Pradesh is reeling under the impact of relentless monsoon rains, with at least 63 people confirmed dead and dozens more still missing as the state grapples with the aftermath of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. A heavy rain alert remains in place for all districts until Monday, 7 July, as authorities intensify search, rescue, and relief efforts.
The district of Mandi has borne the brunt of the devastation. According to officials, 17 people have died in Mandi alone, and at least 40 more are reported missing. The worst-affected areas include Thunag and Bagsayed. Karsog and Dharampur areas in the district have also suffered extensive damage.
Elsewhere in the state, 13 deaths have been reported from Kangra, six from Chamba, and five from Shimla. Fatalities have also been confirmed in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una districts. Over 100 people have sustained injuries in rain-related incidents.
Property damage across Himachal has already been estimated at ₹400 crore, though officials caution that the true extent is likely much higher.
"We have recorded over ₹400 crore in losses so far... as entered in our system. But the actual damage is likely much higher," said D.C. Rana, Special Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority and Revenue Department. "Our focus now is on search, rescue, and restoration. A detailed damage assessment will take time," he added.
The widespread destruction includes the loss of hundreds of homes and the washing away of 14 bridges. Nearly 300 livestock have died, including 164 cattle. Additionally, over 500 roads have been closed due to landslides and flooding, cutting off numerous villages and towns.
The power infrastructure has been hit hard, with more than 500 electricity distribution transformers rendered non-functional. As a result, tens of thousands of residents remain without power, facing a growing crisis of food and water shortages.
Videos circulating online show rivers swollen with muddy waters sweeping through the countryside, carrying away houses and reducing roads to rubble. Towns and villages have been severely damaged, with survivors navigating through debris and landslide-prone terrain.
One particularly disturbing incident occurred in Shimla's Dhalli suburb, where a landslide was captured on video. The footage was shared by Doordarshan News’ Himachal Pradesh channel on social media platform X, sparking fresh concern about safety in the region.
The monsoon entered Himachal Pradesh on 20 June and, as in previous years, has triggered widespread destruction. However, the current spell of rainfall has been especially intense, prompting comparisons with some of the state’s worst monsoon disasters in recent history.
With the situation worsening and more rain forecast, local authorities and disaster management teams continue to work around the clock to rescue those stranded, clear debris, and restore essential services.
