Mandi, Himachal Pradesh — The fury of the monsoon continues to batter Himachal Pradesh, where the season’s toll has climbed to 310 deaths, accompanied by severe damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has described the situation as one of the most challenging in recent years, with rescue and restoration operations hampered by relentless rains and recurring landslides.
Human Toll and Regional Impact
Since June 20, the state has reported 158 deaths in rain-related incidents including landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning strikes and electrocution. Another 152 people have died in road accidents, as treacherous stretches, poor visibility, and debris from landslides turned travel into a deadly risk.
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The highest fatalities have been reported from Kangra (30 deaths), Mandi (29), Chamba (14), Kinnaur (14) and Kullu (13) — districts that have also witnessed extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
Property and Livelihood Losses
Private property losses are mounting. According to SDMA figures, 324 houses have been completely destroyed and 396 partially damaged, while thousands of shops, cowsheds and small structures have been flattened. The livestock sector too has been badly hit, with 1,846 head of cattle and over 25,755 poultry birds lost to the disaster, deepening the economic crisis for rural households.
Roads, Power and Water Supply Hit
Restoration of connectivity has emerged as the state’s biggest challenge. Currently, over 670 roads, including three national highways, remain blocked. In Mandi district alone, 342 roads — including NH-03 — are shut, while Kullu faces 131 blockages with NH-305 out of service. In Kinnaur, NH-05 is blocked at Nigulsari Tranda, a known landslide-prone stretch.
The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that 1,413 electricity transformers are down and 420 water supply schemes disrupted, leaving many areas without reliable power and drinking water.
Relief and Ongoing Challenges
Authorities say restoration work is ongoing on a war footing, with engineers and disaster-response teams working round the clock. However, the combination of fresh landslides, flash floods and continuous rainfall is slowing down progress. The state government has appealed for central assistance to cope with the mounting losses, while local administrations have been tasked with ensuring immediate relief for displaced families.
The SDMA has urged residents in vulnerable zones to remain on high alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and adhere to safety advisories, warning that unstable slopes and saturated soil conditions make further incidents likely.
Looking Ahead
With the monsoon season far from over, officials and experts fear that the toll could rise further if the rains persist with the same intensity. The unfolding crisis has once again drawn attention to the state’s fragile mountain ecology and inadequate disaster preparedness, raising urgent questions about infrastructure planning and long-term resilience in Himachal Pradesh.
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