Himachal Reels as Monsoon’s Fury Leaves a Trail of Loss
This year’s monsoon has not just been rain; it has been a relentless force of nature, leaving hearts heavy and landscapes scarred across Himachal Pradesh. The state is picking up the pieces after a night of terrifying downpours that stretched into Sunday morning, with Dharamshala and Palampur being hammered by 232 mm and 126 mm of rain respectively.
The constant deluge turned gentle rivers and streams into raging torrents, while terrifying landslides sowed fear in communities, cutting off towns and villages. The human cost of this tragedy is becoming painfully clear. Official numbers, which can’t capture the full emotional weight, tell a story of profound loss: 404 lives have been tragically cut short, with many more injured and families left waiting for news of 41 missing loved ones.
The earth itself seems to be giving way. The aftermath reveals a shattered landscape: over 1,440 homes completely destroyed and thousands more damaged, leaving families without shelter. The tragedy extends to the state’s lifelines—its roads. With three national highways and 565 other roads blocked, entire communities are isolated. The loss is felt deeply in the rural economy as well, with the heartbreaking death of over 2,000 livestock and countless poultry birds, a devastating blow to farmers’ livelihoods.
The scale of destruction to public infrastructure is staggering, with initial estimates pointing to losses exceeding ₹4,489 crore.
Yet, amidst the grief, there is a small glimmer of hope. The weather department has indicated that the worst may be over, predicting no major alerts for the next 24 hours. For the resilient people of Himachal, this promise of calmer skies is the first step toward healing and the long, difficult road to rebuilding their homes and their lives.
