Himachal Monsoon 2025 crisis: 125 dead, thousands displaced, IMD orange alert
Shimla, July 20,
Himachal Pradesh is reeling under one of the worst monsoon disasters in recent years, with 125 confirmed dead, over 215 injured, and dozens still missing, as torrential rains continue to batter the hill state. The latest data from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) paints a grim picture of mounting devastation, with losses crossing ₹1,235 crore since June 20.
The monsoon fury has triggered landslides, flash floods, and road collapses, leaving vast stretches of the state disconnected. As of Sunday evening, 142 roads remain blocked, and power and water supply to several regions is disrupted, severely impacting daily life in Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, and Solan districts.
Humanitarian toll mounts
The toll from natural calamities has climbed to 70, while 55 people have died in rain-related road accidents. The catastrophe has left thousands homeless, with 500 houses fully damaged, and 241 shops and 141 labor sheds destroyed.
Over 22,796 livestock animals, including 21,500 poultry birds, have perished, severely hitting the agrarian economy. The Mandi district alone reported over 771 crop damage cases, and public infrastructure worth over ₹10.76 crore has been lost.
The scale of the disaster has prompted authorities to set up relief camps in flood-hit villages, particularly in Thunag and Dharampur sub-divisions of Mandi, where multiple cloudbursts swept away 31 vehicles, 6 bridges, and 482 cattle.
Infrastructure paralyzed, alerts issued
The SEOC has reported 26 power transformers and 40 water supply schemes currently non-operational due to landslides and flash floods. Restoration work on NH-5 and NH-21 remains ongoing amid frequent blockages.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has now issued orange alerts for July 21 and 22 in seven districts — Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur — forecasting heavy to very heavy rain, with warnings of landslides, flash floods, and rising river levels. Shimla, Kullu, and Chamba are under a yellow alert.
“Slippery roads may lead to skidding, traffic congestion is expected, and people are advised to stay away from riverbanks and unstable slopes,” IMD cautioned in its latest advisory. Tourists and trekkers have been asked to postpone travel plans, especially to rain-sensitive zones.
State on edge as next 72 hours are critical
With peak rainfall predicted over the next 72 hours, emergency teams from NDRF and SDRF are working around the clock, despite difficult terrain and inclement weather. District administrations have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, especially in areas vulnerable to slides and flash floods.
As Himachal Pradesh faces a compounded humanitarian and environmental crisis, urgent attention is needed from both state and central authorities to enhance relief, rehabilitation, and disaster preparedness measures.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
