NEW DELHI: Torrential rains and cloudbursts have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh over the past two weeks, leaving at least 69 people dead between June 20 and July 3 and causing property damage worth over Rs 400 crore, according to officials. In the hill state’s worst-hit Mandi district, several homes have collapsed and vehicles have been swept away by gushing watersRescue and relief operations are underway, with army, local police, disaster response forces and central agencies all pressed into action. “Everything got washed away after the cloudburst,” a local resident said.
IMD issues fresh alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for Himachal Pradesh until July 7, warning of continued heavy rainfall and potential landslides.
Across the state, 250 roads remain closed, over 500 power transformers are non-functional, and nearly 700 drinking water schemes have been disrupted, severely affecting basic services.
‘Actual losses could be even higher’
DC Rana, Special Secretary at the State Disaster Management Authority and the Revenue Department, told reporters that the officially recorded losses are around Rs 400 crore — but the actual damage could be significantly higher. “Our primary focus right now is on search, rescue and restoration. A detailed damage assessment will take more time,” he said.
Senior government engineers and officials have been deployed in Mandi, where major infrastructure has collapsed and communication lines are down. Restoration of electricity, water supply, and roads is being treated as a top priority, Rana added.
‘Climate change is hitting the hills’
Officials also pointed to the broader impact of climate change on Himachal’s fragile ecology. “These events are a consequence of global warming and climate change. Himachal is not untouched by these impacts,” Rana said. Authorities say coordination among state and central agencies — including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Home Guards, and the local administration — is critical as they work to restore normalcy. As monsoon activity is expected to intensify in the coming days, the administration has urged residents to stay alert and avoid travel unless necessary.
