SHIMLA – The Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is grappling with a severe monsoon crisis as a series of cloudbursts and landslides have led to widespread destruction, loss of life, and significant damage to infrastructure. The state has declared itself a disaster zone, and rescue and relief operations are in full swing.
Recent reports from various international and local news sources indicate that torrential rains have triggered multiple calamities, with the Mandi district being one of the worst-affected areas. A devastating landslide in the Nihri area of Mandi led to the collapse of a house, killing at least three people, including an infant, and injuring several others.
In the Dharampur town of Mandi, a sudden flash flood submerged the local bus stand, sweeping away numerous public and private vehicles and damaging over 100 shops. The sudden swelling of the Son Khad river is believed to be the cause of this destructive flood.
The capital city of Shimla has also been severely impacted. Landslides have buried vehicles and blocked major roads, including parts of National Highway 5, causing significant traffic disruptions and inconvenience to commuters.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has reported a staggering monsoon death toll, with over 400 lives lost since June 20, due to a combination of rain-related incidents and road accidents. More than 1,500 houses have been completely destroyed, and thousands more have suffered partial damage, rendering many families homeless.
The state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is appealing to the central government for substantial financial aid to help with the recovery and rehabilitation efforts. The Chief Minister’s office has stated that the state has already suffered a loss of over ₹20,000 crore in the last three years due to similar natural disasters.
With continuous heavy rainfall warnings issued by the meteorological department, authorities are working to restore essential services like electricity and water supply, while rescue teams are engaged in clearing debris and evacuating stranded residents.
