Heavy Monsoon Rains Hit Himachal Pradesh, Schools Shut Down, Causing Problems
SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh, India – August 25, 2025:Strong rains have caused trouble in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closing of all schools and colleges in four districts on Monday, August 25, 2025. The constant rain, which started over the weekend, has caused landslides and flash floods, blocking at least 484 roads, including two major highways. The problems have also caused many power and water outages, as weather officials say more heavy rain is expected in some areas of the state until August 30.
Schools Must Close, and Safety Steps Are Taken
To keep people safe, the local governments of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, and Solan have ordered all schools to close, except for boarding schools. This was done to protect students and staff, as some areas are dangerous because of landslides and flooding. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is asking people to avoid travel if they don’t need to and to stay informed about local warnings, as there are risky conditions across the state.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army are ready to help with rescues and providing aid. They are working to clear blocked roads and get essential services back to the affected communities as soon as possible.
Lots of Damage to Roads, Power
The heavy rain has mostly hurt the state’s roads. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 484 roads are blocked, with Mandi district having the most closures at 245. The main roads in the state are especially affected, with National Highway 154A (Chamba–Pathankot) and NH 305 (Aut–Sainj road) completely closed because of mudslides.
Besides roads, the rain has messed up 941 power transformers and 95 water systems, leaving many people without electricity and drinking water. Efforts to fix these problems are happening but are slowed down by the constant rain and rough land. The amount of damage shows how easily the area’s roads can be affected by bad weather.
Two J&K Monsoon Deaths in Reasi and Kathua
People Hurt, Money Lost
The current rain is making an already bad monsoon season worse in Himachal Pradesh. The SEOC says that since the monsoon started on June 20, at least 155 people have died in rain-related events, and 37 more are still missing. The state has seen 77 flash floods, 40 cloudbursts, and 79 major landslides, showing how serious the situation is.
The economic damage is a lot, with the SEOC saying that total losses from rain-related events are about Rs 2,348 crore. This includes damage to homes, farmland, and roads. The ongoing situation has led to more calls for stronger and better development practices in the sensitive Himalayan area.
Weather Coming: The Big View
The local weather office has said that heavy rain is possible in some areas of up to seven districts, and the bad weather will last until at least August 30. This long period of heavy rain is worrying for the state government, as wet ground and overflowing rivers increase the chance of more landslides and flash floods.
This monsoon season has been very strong for Himachal Pradesh, which has had 16% more rain than normal since June 1. This extra rain, along with the state’s weak land, is causing the disasters happening now.
How Government Is Helping
The state government is watching the situation closely. While the help has been fast, the size of the problem is a big challenge. The government is working to give aid to affected families and make sure that important supplies get to remote areas that are cut off by road closures.
Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has visited some of the affected areas, saying that the losses are getting bigger as the monsoon continues. The combined work of the state government, local officials, and disaster teams is important in reducing the ongoing crisis and preparing for future problems.
What Happens Later
Besides the immediate help and repair work, the current situation raises big questions about long-term disaster preparation and good growth in Himachal Pradesh. Experts have warned about the risks of careless building, road construction, and tunneling in the fragile environment.
The state needs to put money into stronger roads that can handle bad weather and create stricter rules to stop building in risky areas. The current monsoon crisis is a strong reminder that we need a more balanced way to grow that focuses on protecting the environment and helping communities survive.
