Monsoon Wreaks Havoc in Himachal Pradesh: Lives Lost, Economy Hit Hard
SHIMLA, India – August 18, 2025:Crazy monsoon rains caused landslides and floods, tragically killing at least 263 people in Himachal Pradesh. This disaster has really hurt the state, leaving many in dire need. It mostly happened in July and August of 2024, tearing apart homes and costing a lot—early guesses say around ₹2,173 crore. People’s lives have been turned upside down, and it’s clear the area can’t handle extreme weather and shaky construction. Now, everyone’s saying we need to rethink how we build things here.
How Bad Is It?
The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) says at least 263 people died as of August 15, 2024. That includes people buried in landslides, houses collapsing, and being swept away by rivers. Over 300 got hurt, and some are still missing in different areas.
Money-wise, it’s a mess. The HPSDMA first thought losses were about ₹2,173 crore, but now they’re saying it could be over ₹10,000 crore. They’re still figuring out the full damage, according to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Why “Honor” Killings Persist in India
What Happened Where?
Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Solan got hit the worst. Landslides cut off roads, including the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH-3), which is super important for tourists and businesses. It was blocked for days.
On August 14, 2024, in Shimla, a temple and houses in Summer Hill collapsed after a big landslide, trapping tons of people. They found at least 14 bodies and searched for more for days.
Who’s Helping?
The government called it a state calamity to jumpstart the rescue. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) all jumped in to help find people.
Rescue teams worked nonstop to clear roads, get people out, and give help. They saved over 2,500 folks and got over 1,000 to safety in camps.
BITS Pilani Goa Student Death Shocks Campus
Economic Impact
Tourism and farming, the state’s bread and butter, got hammered. Roads closed, and the area seemed dangerous, so hardly any tourists came. This cost the local economy a ton.
Apple and veggie farmers are hurting too. Orchards got wiped out, and they couldn’t get their crops to market because of the roads. This makes things even harder for locals.
Why Did This Happen?
Climate change is making weather wilder, say climate scientists. They mention that there was way too much rain in a short time.
Besides the weather, experts say that building without rules made things worse. Roads, tunnels, and buildings went up on steep hills without checking if it was safe. This messed up the mountains, making them slide easier.
What’s the Government Doing?
Himachal Pradesh asked the government for a big aid package. So far, they’ve gotten ₹2,006.40 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The money will go to helping people right away, fixing things, and helping people get back on their feet. The Chief Minister says they’ll ask for more help to build things stronger.
What’s Next?
It’ll take a while for Himachal Pradesh to get back to normal. The first step is getting services running and helping folks out. Then, they need to figure out how to build things that can handle the weather and won’t hurt the environment.
The government is saying they’ll rethink how they build, especially in sensitive areas. The crazy monsoon in 2024 showed everyone that they need to balance making money with protecting nature.
