Himachal on edge: 25 Cloudbursts, 238 lives lost in Monsoon fury -

Shimla, July 28,

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Twenty-five cloudburst events have struck Himachal Pradesh since June 20 this year, unleashing a fury that has left the state grappling with unparalleled destruction. Alongside, 43 flash floods and 32 landslides have battered towns, villages, and national highways, pushing the death toll to a staggering 238 — 164 due to direct monsoon-triggered disasters and 74 more from road accidents caused by treacherous conditions and crumbling terrain.

The relentless cloudbursts — from Tissa and Bharmour in Chamba to Thunag and Karsog in Mandi, Manali in Kullu, and Rampur in Shimla — have triggered sudden surges in rivers and nullahs, sweeping away everything in their path. Mandi district stands at the heart of the crisis, having endured 32 disaster events in just over a month. The district has reported 32 deaths, more than 580 homes damaged, 336 cow sheds destroyed, 720 cattle lost, and six bridges washed away. Rescue operations have airlifted pregnant women and stranded students as roads turned to rivers and hillsides collapsed into valleys.

According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the total estimated loss due to this monsoon’s wrath has crossed Rs 1,52,311 lakh — Rs 1,523 crore, and rising. The numbers reveal widespread collapse: 251 homes fully destroyed, 437 partially damaged, and extensive damage to shops, cowsheds, huts, and infrastructure across multiple departments — including PWD (Rs 27,434.7 lakh), Jal Shakti (Rs 49,906.84 lakh), and Power (Rs 13,946.69 lakh).

In Kullu, repeated cloudbursts in Sainj, Garsa, and Nehru Kund caused flash floods that trapped tourists, damaged roads, swept away cattle, and left several areas isolated. Over 50 tourists were rescued from Solang, some after a night stranded in rising waters. In Chamba, cloudbursts in Pangola, Ralhera, and Sarkao led to road washouts, bridge collapses, and crop destruction. Kangra’s Khaniyara Khad flash flood, triggered by intense upstream rainfall, claimed seven lives, with others still missing.

In the high-altitude desert of Lahaul & Spiti, cloudbursts and glacier-induced flash floods blocked NH-505 and NH-03 multiple times, isolating villages like Rangrik, Sumra, Khurik, and Kaza. Livestock shelters and irrigation pipelines were buried under debris. Several incidents reported water entering agricultural lands, while road restoration teams struggled to access blocked zones due to continued mudslides and boulder falls.

Shimla faced a series of disasters, including a cloudburst in Rampur’s Sikaseri village, which damaged homes and killed cattle, and multiple landslides that blocked NH-5 and NH-22. In Solan, landslides destroyed railway tracks and blocked roads, while in Kinnaur, cloudbursts disrupted canal systems, submerged national highways, and triggered road closures across Charang and Runang.

The loss to animal life is alarming — over 22,902 animals, including 21,500 poultry birds, have perished. Entire dairy units and cowsheds have been washed away in places like Mandi, Una, and Hamirpur. Crop losses have been reported across over 1,100 hectares of farmland, with both agriculture and horticulture severely impacted.

Rescue operations have been ongoing across the state. In Mandi’s Thunag and Gohar regions, over 100 people, including pregnant women and university students, were evacuated by local agencies and airlifted by the Indian Air Force. Relief camps have been set up in schools, temples, and government buildings, providing temporary shelter, food, and water to displaced families.

Landslides have blocked all major transport routes at different times — NH-3 (Manali-Leh), NH-5 (Shimla-Kinnaur), NH-21 (Mandi-Kullu), and even the Kalka–Shimla heritage rail line. In several cases, vehicles were stranded inside tunnels and remote link roads, prompting rescue workers to hike for hours with essential supplies.

As the rains show no sign of easing, experts warn that this year’s monsoon has exposed the fragility of Himalayan infrastructure and the lack of preparedness in the face of increasing climate volatility. The frequency and ferocity of cloudbursts, in particular, call for urgent investment in early warning systems, weather monitoring, and climate-resilient urban and rural planning.

For now, Himachal Pradesh stands drenched in grief and uncertainty. From the lush orchards of Kinnaur to the green slopes of Chamba and the bustling valleys of Mandi, the mountains have cried rivers — and the people wait, under tarpaulin roofs, for the skies to finally clear.

Himachalscape bureau

Administrator

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.

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Himachalscape bureau