Monsoon Chaos in Himachal: Dam Collapse in Kullu Leads to Flooding, Vehicles Wash Away in Extensive Damage | VIDEO CONTENT
Monsoon Wreaks Havoc in Himachal Pradesh: Over 170 Deaths and Widespread Infrastructure Damage
Heavy monsoon rains have caused severe disruption in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, with flash floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage affecting various parts of the region. As of August 2, 2025, authorities have reported a total of 383 blocked roads, impassable national highways, and disrupted public utilities.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has verified that 95 deaths have been reported due to rain-related disasters such as landslides, flash flooding, and building collapses. Additionally, 78 deaths have been attributed to road accidents, many of which were facilitated by slippery roads and reduced visibility.
One of the most significant incidents occurred in the Kullu district, where the Malana-I Hydropower Project's cofferdam collapsed, causing flash floods that swept away vehicles without any reported deaths. A massive landslide near the Pandoh Dam in Mandi district resulted in over 50 meters of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway caving in, completely blocking traffic and causing major regional disruption.
The intensity of the monsoon is increasing, leading to cumulative losses and complicating relief work. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for heavy rains in the next 3-4 hours. Rescue and repair efforts are underway, but the widespread road inaccessibility is posing challenges.
The disaster has affected various infrastructures, with over 747 distribution transformers (DTRs) in the state being affected, and 249 water supply schemes in Himachal Pradesh becoming inoperable due to rain-caused damage. Major national highways, including NH-305, NH-505, NH-21, and NH-03, are among the routes rendered impassable by landslides and debris.
In Una district, heavy rains caused 47 flash floods and 42 major landslides, severely flooding roads and markets. Numerous interior roads in districts like Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, and Una are inaccessible.
Authorities, including the police and the State Emergency Operation Centre, are actively responding to the situation, though details on ongoing rescue operations are limited in available reports. The state government has been working tirelessly to restore essential services and clear blocked roads, but the scale of the disaster has made the task challenging.
The people of Himachal Pradesh are urged to stay safe, follow the advice of local authorities, and avoid non-essential travel during this critical period. The state government and relief agencies are working diligently to manage the crisis and restore normalcy as soon as possible.
Scientists expect more frequent and severe monsoons in the future due to environmental changes, making it crucial to invest in environmental-science research to prepare for potential disasters. To mitigate the impact of the weather on the infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, engineers should consider building structures that can withstand such extreme conditions.
