Heavy rainfall incidents causing 23 flash floods and 19 cloud bursts occurring in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
**Heavy Rains and Floods Wreak Havoc in Himachal Pradesh**
Heavy rains and subsequent floods have caused widespread destruction in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, since late June 2025. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued repeated warnings of extremely heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lightning, with continued rainfall expected for several days.
The state has been hit by 23 flash floods, 19 cloudburst incidents, and 16 landslides, directly linked to the heavy rains. The Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, has expressed concern over the recurring natural disasters, attributing the scale of damage to unchecked tree felling and illegal mining.
The Governor has not yet visited the affected areas personally due to unsafe conditions but has promised to do so later. The affected regions include Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Una, Chamba, and Kangra, where the mountainous terrain makes these regions particularly vulnerable to such natural disasters.
The human toll of this disaster is significant. At least 78 people have lost their lives since June 20, with 50 deaths directly linked to rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. Mandi district has been worst affected, with 181 roads blocked, 278 water supply schemes disrupted, and severe infrastructure damage, including destroyed homes, bridges, and cattle sheds.
Connectivity is severely hampered due to blocked roads and interrupted electricity and mobile networks, complicating rescue and relief efforts. The state has suffered losses estimated at over Rs 570 crore due to damage to roads, bridges, homes, and agriculture.
Relief efforts are ongoing, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities actively conducting search and rescue operations, particularly in Mandi, Gohar, Karsog, and affected villages like Thunag. Air-dropping of ration kits and setting up of relief camps have been initiated to support displaced and affected people.
The Indian Air Force has been involved in ration drops to areas cut off by floods and landslides. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) continues monitoring the situation and coordinating response efforts. The IMD and government agencies have issued continuous weather alerts and advisories urging people to avoid vulnerable areas and stay away from water bodies due to the risk of further floods and landslides.
The IMD predicts heavy rains for July 8 and 9, and the SDMA reported that as of Sunday evening, 243 roads are still blocked, 241 electricity transformers are disrupted, and 278 water supply schemes are non-functional in Himachal Pradesh. The relief consignment includes 540 blankets, triple-layered tents, shoes, socks, buckets, candles, and matchboxes.
The state authorities have deployed NDRF and SDRF teams across critical regions, and the IMD issued a warning for "Extremely Heavy Rain, Thunderstorm & Lightning, Squall" for July 6 and 7. In Kullu, 36 road blockages were reported, primarily in Banjar and Nirmand, while in Kangra, 12 roads are blocked, particularly in Palampur and Shahpur. In Chamba, 17 water supply schemes are affected.
The Mandi district reported the highest number of rain-related deaths at 17, and in Una district, 41 electricity transformers were disrupted. Despite the challenges, relief efforts continue, and the state government, along with various agencies, is working tirelessly to address the urgent needs of the affected populations and prepare for possible continued adverse weather.
The Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, has expressed concerns about the environmental impact and future weather patterns related to the current disaster, urging for a review in unchecked tree felling and illegal mining in the state to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Governor's calls for action highlight the importance of understanding the science behind the weather patterns and the role of environmental science in minimizing the impact of such natural disasters.
