 "The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts across Himachal Pradesh, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas between July 4 and July 10. File image/PTI")
Himachal Pradesh is struggling to cope with the impact of unrelenting monsoon rains that have caused tremendous damage across the hill state.
A series of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides have resulted in over 60 deaths, with dozens still missing, and damages estimated at over Rs 400 crore, according to the State Disaster Management Authority.
Districts like Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla have seen the worst of the destruction. And with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing fresh alerts for more heavy rain, officials fear the worst may not be over yet.
Here’s a closer look at the unfolding situation across Himachal.
Dozens dead, many missing — Mandi hit the hardest
Since June 20, more than 60 people have died in rain-related incidents across Himachal Pradesh, with another 40 still missing, according to the State Emergency Operations Centre.
Mandi district has recorded the highest number of deaths at 17, followed by Kangra with 13 deaths, Chamba with six, and Shimla reporting five fatalities. Other districts, including Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una, have also reported deaths.
The impact has been particularly severe in Karsog and Thunag subdivisions, where sudden cloudbursts have destroyed homes, roads, and farmlands within minutes. Other areas like Dharampur and Bagsayed have also faced extensive damage.
In one part of Mandi, an entire village has been wiped out. A relief camp has been set up for those displaced, and the Indian Air Force carried out air drops of food packets for stranded residents on Thursday.
According to PTI, five relief camps have been established so far, sheltering 402 rescued people, with 348 of them from Mandi alone.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu said 14 separate cloudbursts had been reported since the onset of the monsoon. He said his government “stands with the disaster-affected families” of the state and, according to ANI, will provide Rs 5,000 to each family as “renting accommodation”.
Search and rescue efforts are now in place, with a focus on areas like Thunag, where relentless rains have brought everything to a halt.
Two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), alongside police and home guards, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations in the district.
Schools shut, bridges gone, and crores lost
In Shimla, heavy rains have flooded several schools, forcing closures and causing distress among students and parents.
“It’s raining heavily. Water is entering our classrooms, our clothes and books are soaked. Our teachers are telling us it’s better to stay at home,” said Tanuja Thakur, a student in Shimla, in a statement to ANI
“Our school is surrounded by trees. There is always a fear that a tree could fall. Thankfully, we are safe for now,” she added.
Videos circulating online show terrifying scenes, rivers swollen with rainwater tearing through villages, sweeping away homes and leaving trails of destruction in their wake.
Across the state, hundreds of houses have been damaged or destroyed. At least 14 bridges have been washed away, and nearly 300 animals, including 164 cattle, have perished in the disaster.
The overall damage to infrastructure is staggering. According to an NDTV report, more than 500 roads are currently closed, severely impacting connectivity. Over 500 power distribution transformers (DTRs) have failed, leaving thousands without electricity.
Water supply has also taken a major hit, with 797 drinking water schemes rendered non-functional over the past few days due to the heavy rain.
DC Rana, Special Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority, confirmed the scale of damage. “We have recorded over Rs 400 crore in losses so far, based on entries in our system. But the actual figure is likely to be much higher,” he said.
“Right now, our priority is on search, rescue, and restoring essential services. A detailed damage assessment will take more time."
Earlier today Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Minister and promised relief and help, not just for Himachal but other states affected by the monsoon, including Gujarat and Rajasthan.
IMD predicts more rain in the coming days
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts across Himachal Pradesh, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas between July 4 and July 10. A red alert — indicating extremely heavy rainfall — has been issued specifically for July 6.
Amid ongoing relief operations, officials are also drawing attention to the broader climate crisis behind these extreme weather events.
“These events are a consequence of global warming and climate change. Himachal is not untouched by these impacts,” said Rana.