Torrential monsoon rains have triggered devastating floods, landslides, and cloudbursts across Himachal Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of at least 63 people, with many others still unaccounted for. The situation is especially bad in Mandi district, where the damage is the worst so far.

A red alert for heavy rain has been issued across all districts in the state and will remain in place till Monday, July 7.

The State Disaster Management Authority said that around Rs 400 crore worth of property has been destroyed. But officials believe the actual losses could be even higher.

“We have recorded over Rs 400 crore in losses so far... as entered in our system. But the actual damage is likely much higher,” said DC Rana, the Special Secretary for Disaster Management and Revenue. “Our focus now is on search, rescue, and restoration. Detailed damage assessment will take time.”

Search teams and relief workers are continuing efforts to rescue trapped people and provide support to affected families.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh — all of which have been hit by heavy rainfall.

“In the wake of heavy rainfall in different parts of the nation, spoke with the chief ministers of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh. Adequate numbers of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams have been deployed... and reinforcements can be sent... Assured them of all possible assistance from the central government,” he said.

The monsoon entered Himachal on June 20, and like every year, it has caused large-scale destruction. So far, Mandi district has reported 17 deaths, followed by Kangra with 13, Chamba with six, and Shimla with five.

Thunag and Bagsayed are the hardest-hit areas in Mandi district, both falling within the Assembly constituency of former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur. The Karsog and Dharampur areas have also suffered major damage.

Online, people are sharing frightening videos showing fast-moving rivers turning muddy and wild, sweeping away trees, roads, and even homes. Some villages appear nearly destroyed, with locals walking carefully through piles of mud and broken buildings.

In Shimla, a landslide was caught on camera in the Dhalli suburb. The video was posted by Doordarshan News Himachal Pradesh on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). In another video from the Sirmaur district, a huge wave of rocks and mud can be seen crashing down a hill and across a narrow road. The person filming is heard shouting, warning people nearby to run for their lives.

As rescue teams race against time and rain, Himachal Pradesh is once again facing nature's fury during this year’s monsoon.

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