Himachal Pradesh Rain Havoc: 63 Dead, ₹400 Crore Property Damage in Unprecedented Monsoon Fury

 

Shimla, July 4, 2025 

Himachal Pradesh Rain Havoc: 63 Dead, ₹400 Crore Property Damage in Unprecedented Monsoon Fury

Shimla, July 4, 2025 —
Himachal Pradesh has been ravaged by relentless heavy rains this monsoon season, resulting in the tragic loss of 63 lives and widespread destruction of public and private property worth over ₹400 crore. The hill state, known for its serene beauty and tourism appeal, is currently grappling with one of its worst natural calamities in recent years.

Heavy Rain Triggers Flash Floods, Landslides

Over the past ten days, incessant rainfall has triggered over 150 incidents of flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides, particularly in the districts of Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Chamba, and Kinnaur. Roads have been washed away, bridges collapsed, and homes buried under debris. Several remote villages have been completely cut off due to damaged roads and blocked mountain passes.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for multiple districts, predicting continued heavy rainfall in the coming days. The state government has declared a state of emergency in the most-affected zones.

63 Lives Lost, Rescue Operations Underway

Official figures confirm that 63 people have lost their lives due to weather-related incidents. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, and local authorities are working around the clock to evacuate stranded families and restore essential services. Over 3,500 tourists have been safely evacuated from flood-affected areas in Kullu and Manali.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep sorrow and has announced ₹4 lakh ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured. He also appealed to citizens to avoid travel in vulnerable areas until weather conditions stabilize.

₹400 Crore Damage: Infrastructure & Agriculture Hit Hard

Preliminary assessments estimate that property and infrastructure damages exceed ₹400 crore. Over 250 roads, including major national highways, remain blocked. Multiple power stations and water supply schemes have been damaged, leading to shortages in towns and rural areas alike.

The agriculture sector has also taken a severe hit, with crop losses reported in apple orchards and vegetable farms across the mid and high hills.

Government & Relief Measures

State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has been activated to coordinate rescue and relief efforts.

Relief camps have been set up across the affected regions, providing food, shelter, and medical aid.

Drone surveillance and satellite imagery are being used to track landslide-prone areas and prevent further casualties.

The Chief Minister stated, “We are treating this as a war-like emergency. All resources—state and central—are being mobilized to rescue every individual and rebuild every road.”

Appeal for Caution and Climate Awareness

Experts link the severity of the rainfall and landslides to climate change and unplanned construction in ecologically sensitive zones. Environmentalists have called for stricter monitoring of hill construction norms and greater investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.