Monsoon Havoc: Dozens Missing as Flash Floods and Landslides Wreak Havoc in Himachal Pradesh
SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh, India – July 8, 2025: In Himachal Pradesh, relentless monsoon rains have wreaked havoc, spawning devastating flash floods and landslides that have left at least 30 persons missing and claimed 78 lives in total across the state since the onset of the monsoon on June 20. The Mandi district has been the most severely hit, with an all-out search and rescue operation going on under difficult weather conditions.
Impact and Destruction in Areas of Importance
The calamity has devastated the Thunag, Gohar, and Karsog subdivisions of Mandi district, where six cloudbursts have occurred in the last week. This all-powerful nature’s wrath has left behind widespread destruction, taking away 14 bridges, 148 houses, and many vehicles. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) states 243 roads are blocked across Himachal Pradesh, with 183 in Mandi district alone, heavily compromising civic connectivity. In addition, 241 transformers and power schemes and 278 water supply schemes have been impacted, collectively causing massive power cuts and water shortageissues.
Rescue and Relief Operations Gaining Momentum
A comprehensive search and rescue operation, engaging around 250 personnel from various agencies like NDRF, SDRF, the Indian Army, ITBP, and local Home Guards, is currently underway. The teams working on the field are using drones and sniffer dogs in the hopes of locating the missing, though their efforts are being hampered by the rugged mountainous terrain and incessant rain. To date, 494 individuals have been evacuated to safer places, while 1,538 ration kits have been distributed to the affected populations, particularly in such cut-off areas as the Seraj Valley.
Humanitarian Crisis and Financial Pressure
Grave humanitarian issues arose from the unrelenting monsoon fury. Officially, it is recorded that 225 houses, 7 shops, and 243 sheds for cattle have been fully or partially damaged. An additional 215 cattle lost their lives. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has put the loss to the state’s infrastructure and private property at about ₹700 crore, while the SEOC’s present confirmed figure stands at ₹572.69 crore. Rent assistance of ₹5,000 per month was additionally declared by the Chief Minister for those families whose houses were washed away in the disaster.
Reasons Behind the Disaster and Its Future Courses
The scale of this disaster was attributed to other factors also, including a pronounced spell of rainfall, frequent occurrences of cloudbursts, and inherent geological fragility in the Himalayan region. There is 123% excess rainfall in the Mandi district alone. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red and orange alert for heavy rainfall in different parts of Himachal Pradesh till July 10, predicting possible occurrences of flash floods and landslides during this period. State disaster management authorities have kept themselves on high alert, advising residents in vulnerable areas to exercise maximum caution and to follow all safety advisories.
