Himachal Pradesh is grappling with severe monsoon-related devastation, with at least 5 people dead and 16 missing in Mandi district alone. Across the state, over 400 roads have been closed due to relentless rains, cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. The தொடர் monsoon, which began around June 20, 2025, has brought the state to its knees, causing widespread disruption and claiming lives.
Mandi district has been particularly hard hit, recording the highest rainfall of 223 millimetres in the past 24 hours. Tragically, four people have died in Mandi today, and 16 remain missing following heavy downpours and cloudbursts. The Mandi district administration reports that 261 roads are blocked, over 1,700 power transformers are non-functional, and numerous drinking water schemes have been disrupted.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed his concern over the loss of life and property due to overnight rain and cloudbursts in Karsog, Dharmpur, Mandi Sadar, Nachan and Saraj areas. He stated that multiple cloudbursts occurred on Monday night, causing severe damage throughout the Himalayan state.
The State Emergency Operation Centre reports that 259 roads, including 129 in Mandi and 92 in Sirmaur districts, have been shut down due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. In addition to the blocked roads, crucial infrastructure has suffered, with 614 transformers and 130 water supply schemes being affected.
Across Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon has caused significant damage to property. Around 35 houses have been fully or partially damaged, leaving several families homeless. In Shimla, a five-story building collapsed. Two cowsheds, three cows, two calves, a kitchen, and a room were washed away by a cloudburst in Sikaseri village of Rampur, although no human lives were lost.
In response to the crisis, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration teams are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. Authorities have rescued nearly 300 people from various locations and houses damaged by the floods. Educational institutions in Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts have been closed due to the continued rains and risk of landslides.
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in most parts of the state for today and tomorrow. The Meteorological Centre in Shimla forecasts heavy rainfall until July 6. Residents and tourists are urged to follow weather advisories and avoid going near rivers and streams. Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) across the state have been directed to remain vigilant.
The state has already received substantial rainfall in June, with an average of 135 mm, exceeding the normal of 101 mm by 34 percent. This makes it the 21st highest June rainfall since 1901. The highest rainfall of 252.7 mm was recorded in June 1971.
The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway remains closed at multiple locations. The Shimla-Chandigarh highway experienced unprecedented traffic jams due to landslips and spalling stones at five points, requiring traffic diversions. The Subathu-Waknaghat road was also closed due to a landslide.
With climate extremes becoming more frequent, experts are advocating for long-term interventions such as soil bioengineering to stabilize slopes and mitigate erosion.
