Amidst the monsoon's relentless assault on Himachal Pradesh, a heartwarming tale of survival has emerged from the Mandi district, where a dog's persistent barking alerted villagers to an impending landslide, ultimately saving 67 lives. The incident occurred in Siyathi village, located in the Dharampur area, around midnight on June 30, 2025, as torrential rains triggered widespread destruction across the state.

Narendra, a resident of Siyathi, was fast asleep when his dog, resting on the second floor of their house, began to bark and howl incessantly. Stirred awake by the unusual commotion, Narendra noticed a significant crack in the wall and water seeping into their home. Realizing the imminent danger, he quickly gathered his family and rushed downstairs.

Without hesitation, Narendra ran through the village, alerting his neighbors and urging them to evacuate. Responding swiftly to the warning, the villagers abandoned their homes, possessions, and livestock, seeking refuge from the impending disaster. Moments later, a massive landslide struck Siyathi, flattening nearly a dozen houses and burying most of the village under debris.

Thanks to the dog's timely warning and Narendra's quick actions, all 67 villagers, comprising 20 families, escaped the landslide unscathed. The survivors, now grappling with trauma, high blood pressure, and depression, are currently sheltered at the Naina Devi temple in Triyambala village. While locals from nearby areas have extended assistance, the government has provided ₹10,000 in relief to each affected family.

The heroic act of the dog in Siyathi is a testament to the unique bond between humans and animals, and how their instincts can save lives. This incident is a reminder that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes, they bark.

The landslide in Siyathi is part of a larger pattern of devastation caused by the monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh. Since June 20, 2025, the state has been battered by heavy rainfall, triggering landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. Mandi district has been particularly hard hit, with over 280 roads blocked due to damage. As of July 4, 2025, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed 78 deaths in Himachal Pradesh, with 50 fatalities attributed to rain-related tragedies like landslides and cloudbursts, and 28 to road accidents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh flash flood alerts in 10 districts, warning of more extreme weather in the days to come.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that the estimated losses due to the rains are around ₹572 crore, but Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated the losses are closer to ₹700 crore as data is still being compiled. Around 240 roads are blocked, including 176 in the Mandi district. Additionally, 241 power transformers and 278 water supply schemes have been affected in Himachal Pradesh.

In response to the ongoing crisis, rescue operations are underway to trace missing persons in the Thunag, Gohar, and Karsog subdivisions of Mandi district. Personnel from the National and State Disaster Response Forces, the Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and Home Guards are involved in the search and rescue efforts. The government is providing relief and rehabilitation measures, including distributing ration kits and providing financial assistance to affected families.