New Delhi, July 4: At least 69 people have died and hundreds remain affected as torrential monsoon rains and cloudbursts battered Himachal Pradesh over the past two weeks, triggering widespread damage to infrastructure and services in the northern Indian state.
Between June 20 and July 3, intense rainfall led to landslides, flash floods, and house collapses across multiple districts, with Mandi emerging as the worst hit. Homes were washed away and vehicles swept off roads as swollen streams turned deadly.
Authorities estimate the damage at over ₹400 crore ($48 million), though officials said actual losses could be significantly higher once a comprehensive assessment is completed. “Everything got washed away after the cloudburst,” said one resident in Mandi, recounting the devastation.
The state government has deployed the army, local police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Home Guards for rescue and relief operations. Restoration of electricity, road access and drinking water supply has been prioritised, especially in affected areas where communications remain down.
As of Thursday, 250 roads were blocked, over 500 power transformers were non-functional, and nearly 700 drinking water schemes had been disrupted, officials said.
“We are focused on search, rescue and restoration. A detailed damage assessment will take more time,” said DC Rana, Special Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority. He added that senior engineers and administrators had been deployed to oversee relief work in Mandi and nearby districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh rain alert for the state until July 7, warning of continued heavy rainfall and landslides. Residents have been advised to avoid non-essential travel and remain vigilant.
Officials pointed to climate change as a driving factor behind the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the fragile Himalayan region.
“These events are a consequence of global warming and climate change. Himachal is not untouched by these impacts,” said Rana. With the monsoon expected to intensify, authorities said close coordination between state and central agencies remains critical in preventing further loss of life and speeding up the recovery process.
