Receding monsoon rain wrecks havoc in Himachal; Six missing in Dharampur- Mandi flash flood
Shimla, Sept 16,
As reports of the monsoon beginnning to recede start appearing, a sudden incessant overnight rain spell has once again unleashed devastation across Himachal Pradesh, leaving trails of destruction in Mandi and Shimla districts. Flash floods, swollen drains, and landslides battered towns and villages, washing away vehicles, flooding homes, and burying families under debris
In Mandi district, the Son Khad (drain) overflowed following torrential rain between 2 am and 3 am, submerging the bus stand at Dharampur and inundating nearby homes and shops. Floodwaters swept away more than ten government buses and several private vehicles. Eyewitnesses reported that the water rose so high that the first floors of several houses were submerged.
Though official confirmation is awaited, locals fear several people were swept away by the gushing waters. BJP leader Rajat Thakur stated that at least six people are missing from the locality. By Tuesday morning, floodwaters receded, leaving behind slush and muck that devastated the market area.
Family Buried in Landslide in Mandi
In another tragedy, a house collapsed due to a landslide in Bragta village of Mandi, burying five members of a single family. Rescue teams and villagers managed to pull out two survivors alive, while one body was recovered from the debris. Search operations are underway to locate two others who remain missing.
Shimla’s Lifeline Hit by Landslides
Heavy rain also triggered multiple landslides in the state capital, Shimla. At Himland, BCS School and Panjali, more than 15 vehicles parked along the road were buried under debris. The Circular Road, often described as the lifeline of Shimla, was blocked after a massive landslide near Talland, causing traffic disruption across the hill town.
Monsoon Surplus Turns Deadly
The Meteorological Centre, Shimla, has issued a yellow alert for rain in six districts—Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur. Although rainfall is expected to decline over the next three days, this season has already proven disastrous.
From June 1 to September 15, Himachal Pradesh recorded 991.1 mm of rain, which is 44% higher than normal (689.6 mm). Kullu district has been the worst affected with 107% excess rainfall, while Shimla recorded 105% more than normal.
District-wise, rainfall surplus has been alarming: Mandi (77%), Bilaspur (72%), Solan (71%), Hamirpur (58%), Una (65%), Sirmaur (40%), Chamba (32%), Kangra (18%), and Kinnaur (30%).
The relentless monsoon has already claimed 409 lives across the state this season. Of these, 76 deaths were caused by floods, landslides, and cloudbursts. Official records show 140 incidents of landslides, 97 floods, and 46 cloudbursts since June.
A Season of Havoc
From submerged markets in Dharampur to buried cars in Shimla, the images of destruction highlight how vulnerable Himachal Pradesh remains to extreme weather events. The receding monsoon, far from bringing relief, has once again hammered the hill state, displacing families, crippling infrastructure, and adding to an already grim death toll.
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.
