Monsoon Chaos in Himachal: Exams Cancelled Amid Rising Toll and Widespread Devastation
As Himachal Pradesh battles one of its most destructive monsoons in recent memory, the state is grappling with landslides, flash floods, and collapsing homes, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak and destruction.
In response to growing concerns, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced in the Vidhan Sabha that oral tests for police recruitment have been cancelled, and other competitive exams will be reviewed in consultation with relevant agencies to prioritize public safety.
The Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has already postponed the Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination-2025, originally scheduled for September 7, now tentatively moved to October 5 due to the ongoing weather emergency.
The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, who urged the government to expedite the retrieval of five bodies stranded at Kugti Pass and provide relief to students caught in the middle of exam schedules. He called for the deployment of Air Force helicopters, but the CM explained that bad weather had grounded rescue operations, which would resume once conditions improve.
Meanwhile, the scale of destruction continues to grow. As of September 1, the State Emergency Operation Centre reported:
- 327 human lives lost
- 385 animal deaths
- Over 1,300 homes fully destroyed
- 2,331 structures partially damaged
- 27,000 hectares of crop loss
- Financial losses exceeding ₹3,158 crore
Public infrastructure is also under severe strain:
- 1,305 roads, including six national highways, are blocked
- 3,263 power transformers are disrupted
- 858 water supply schemes are out of service
Even National Highway-05 at Browni remains shut due to continuous shooting stones, despite heavy machinery being deployed. Dam authorities have issued high-flow alerts downstream of the Nathpa Dam and Baspa Barrage, following controlled water releases.
In Kullu’s Anni subdivision, a three-storey under-construction house collapsed, with rescue efforts hampered by blocked roads and relentless rain.
With red alerts still active across multiple districts, authorities are urging residents to stay away from riverbanks and landslide-prone areas until conditions stabilize.
