Himachal in Distress: Monsoon Fury Continues as Lives, Homes, and Roads Crumble
The people of Himachal Pradesh are enduring one of the harshest monsoons in recent memory. Relentless rains have turned daily life upside down, triggering landslides, flash floods, and widespread destruction across the state. Districts like Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra are among the worst affected, with blocked roads and damaged infrastructure making movement nearly impossible.
Overflowing rivers and streams have created flood-like conditions in low-lying areas, damaging homes and threatening crops. Farmers are watching helplessly as their fields drown, and families are struggling to stay safe. The state administration is working tirelessly on relief and rescue operations, but the scale of the disaster is overwhelming.
Losses Mounting by the Hour
In just the last 24 hours, the state has suffered ₹367.33 crore in additional damage. Since the monsoon began on June 20, the total loss has climbed to ₹3,525.37 crore—a sharp rise from ₹3,158.04 crore just two days earlier.
Mandi and Kangra Bear the Brunt
Among the districts, Mandi has suffered the most, with damages reaching ₹1,231.64 crore, followed by Kangra at ₹1,082.55 crore. Other districts like Kullu, Chamba, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Shimla, Una, and Sirmaur have also reported significant losses, and with rains continuing, these figures are expected to rise.
Lives Lost, Families Shattered
The human toll is heartbreaking. Since June 20:
- 340 people have died
- 41 are still missing
- 389 have been injured
- 27,663 animals and birds have perished
More than 4,497 homes have been damaged—917 completely destroyed, and 3,580 partially damaged. Over 4,000 cowsheds and 486 shops and factories have also been affected.
Infrastructure in Ruins
The Public Works Department has suffered losses of over ₹2,093 crore, with 1,334 roads still blocked. The Jal Shakti Department has reported ₹1,147 crore in damages, with 777 water supply schemes disrupted. Agriculture and horticulture have taken hits of ₹11.45 crore and ₹27.43 crore respectively, while the Electricity Board has lost ₹139.46 crore.
Rain Alerts Still Active
The Meteorological Department has issued fresh alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall in six districts:
- Orange Alert: Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kinnaur
- Yellow Alert: Una, Bilaspur
While other districts like Hamirpur, Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Solan, and Lahaul-Spiti are not under alert, light to moderate rainfall is still expected.
