Shimla, July 4: The monsoon’s fury has claimed 43 lives and left at least 37 people missing across Himachal Pradesh since it struck the state on June 20, triggering widespread devastation through cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and incessant rainfall. The estimated loss has already crossed ₹5,000 crore, officials said.
The most tragic impact has been felt in Mandi district, which alone accounts for 17 deaths and 31 of the total missing. Officials confirmed that ten separate incidents of cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods occurred in Mandi on Tuesday, cutting off villages and burying homes and fields in debris.
As rescue efforts continue, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Friday evacuated 65 people trapped in Bharad, Deji, Payala and Rukchui villages, where roads were washed away and rivers breached their banks.
According to data released by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), of the 43 confirmed deaths, 14 were caused by cloudbursts, eight by flash floods, one by a landslide, and seven by drowning. The search continues for dozens of missing persons, especially in the most-affected regions.
The downpour has damaged over 150 houses, 106 cattle sheds, 14 bridges, 31 vehicles, and multiple roads across districts. As many as 164 cattle have also perished, further compounding rural losses. The damage to public utilities has been equally severe—332 electricity transformers and 784 water supply schemes have been disrupted so far.
At least 280 roads remain closed to vehicular traffic, including 156 in Mandi, 49 in Sirmaur, and 36 in Kullu, as per SEOC officials. Relief camps have been set up in the affected areas, housing 402 displaced persons, including 348 from Mandi alone.
The local Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated parts of the state between Saturday and Tuesday. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant.
Rainfall activity remains intense across the state. Aghar recorded 71.4 mm of rain since Thursday evening, followed by Ghaghas (38.6 mm), Sarahan (36.4 mm), Nagrota Suriyan (31.4 mm), Kandaghat (31 mm), Karsog (27.4 mm), Murari Devi (24.4 mm), Kangra (22.7 mm), and Palampur (21.2 mm).
With infrastructure in shambles and several communities still cut off, state authorities continue to mobilise rescue, repair, and relief operations, bracing for further rain in the days ahead.
