Himachal Monsoon Fury Claims 98 Lives, Rs 770 Crore Losses as Landslides and Floods Ravage State

Shimla, July 13, 2025 — Himachal Pradesh reels under a relentless monsoon onslaught that has so far claimed 98 lives and inflicted property damage exceeding ₹770 crore, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).

Between June 20 and July 13, torrential rains triggered deadly landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, leaving 57 people dead in rain-related incidents alone. Fatalities stemmed from landslides (8), flash floods (15), cloudbursts (9), drowning (10), electrocution (4), and various other rain-induced mishaps (10), including falls from rocks and trees.

Adding to the grim toll, 41 people have perished in road accidents across the hilly terrain, where treacherous conditions have made travel perilous amid persistent rain.

Mandi district has emerged as the worst hit, recording 21 fatalities, followed by Kangra (14), Kullu (10), Chamba (9), and Hamirpur (8), underscoring the widespread impact of the disaster.

The SDMA report highlighted significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Over 22,450 poultry birds and 954 domestic animals have died, while 375 houses have been damaged—91 completely destroyed and 279 partially wrecked. Cow sheds, shops, schools, and vast stretches of agricultural land have also been swept away or severely damaged.

The state’s cumulative economic loss has reached ₹770.96 crore, spanning critical sectors like public works, water supply, power, education, health, fisheries, and urban development.

Rescue operations remain ongoing. Multiple relief camps have been established, while the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) has issued repeated warnings urging people to avoid travel in vulnerable zones as more rainfall is forecast in the coming days.

According to the SEOC’s 6 PM update on Saturday, heavy rains continue to lash the state, crippling public utilities and cutting off access to many regions. A total of 196 roads, including a national highway, remain blocked due to landslides and flooding. Mandi alone accounts for 153 blocked roads, with key stretches like the Mandi-Kullu highway near 4 Miles and Bindravani rendered impassable.

Other affected districts include Kullu (17 roads blocked), Kangra (12), Sirmaur (11), and Una (3). In addition, 73 power distribution transformers and 787 water supply schemes have been disrupted, though emergency crews have managed to restore some services, particularly in Kullu and Mandi.

Despite partial repairs to water and sewerage networks, officials caution that access to remote areas remains severely restricted. Residents and tourists alike have been urged to exercise extreme caution and limit travel, as the monsoon is expected to maintain its intensity in the days ahead.