The monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh has brought immense tragedy, with the death toll now standing at 173. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, relentless rains have triggered landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, causing widespread damage and loss of life.

Of the 173 fatalities, 95 are directly attributed to rain-related incidents, while 78 people have died in road accidents during the same period. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) reports that landslides have claimed 5 lives, flash floods 8, and cloudbursts 17. Drowning incidents and falls from trees or steep rocks have each resulted in 18 fatalities. Other causes of death include snake bites (9), electrocution (6), and a fire incident (1).

The heavy rainfall has disrupted essential services and infrastructure across the state. As of July 31, 301 roads were blocked, 436 power distribution transformers (DTRs) were disrupted, and 254 water supply schemes were affected. Districts such as Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba are among the worst hit. In Mandi, 193 roads are blocked, while Kullu and Chamba have reported 47 and 25 road closures, respectively. Power transformer disruptions are notably severe in Kullu (134) and Chamba (142) districts.

The monsoon has also caused significant economic losses, with damage to public and private property estimated at over ₹1,59,981 lakh. Approximately 2,743 hectares of crops have been affected, 680 homes damaged, and over 22,900 livestock lost. Kullu district alone has suffered losses of over ₹48 crore since the start of the monsoon season.

In one tragic incident in Mandi town, three members of a family died in a flash flood. Following heavy rainfall, a nullah overflowed, trapping residents in their sleep. Floodwaters and mud entered houses and shops, causing extensive damage.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for heavy rainfall in several districts. Authorities are on high alert, and disaster response teams have been deployed to carry out rescue and relief operations. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is coordinating with local administrations to restore essential services and clear roads.

Despite the challenges, efforts are underway to restore normalcy. However, persistent rainfall is slowing down progress. The SDMA advises residents to stay vigilant and avoid traveling to areas at risk. The SEOC operates a 24x7 helpline (1070) for emergency response.

Looking ahead, the weather forecast for Himachal Pradesh predicts continued rainfall in August. While temperatures are expected to be slightly above average, significant rainfall is anticipated, with over 20 rainy days. The average wind speed is expected to be around 8 km/h.