Himachal Monsoon Tragedy: 63 Dead, Damages Cross ₹400 Crore
The monsoon season has turned deadly in Himachal Pradesh, with at least 63 people reported dead due to a series of landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure collapses across the state. Relentless rains over the past few days have ravaged the region, triggering one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent years.
Landslides and Flash Floods Hit Remote Areas
Most casualties occurred in hilly and remote parts of the state where sudden landslides buried houses, blocked roads, and left entire villages cut off from the rest of the world. Flash floods, caused by intense and prolonged rainfall, swept away vehicles, buildings, and roadways, making rescue and relief operations extremely difficult.
Infrastructure Suffers Extensive Damage
Preliminary assessments estimate losses of over ₹400 crore, with major destruction to roads, electricity networks, water supply schemes, and bridges. Hundreds of power transformers have failed, and more than 1,000 water supply systems are reported damaged, crippling daily life and posing additional health risks due to the disruption of clean water access.
Relief Operations in Full Swing
Disaster response teams including the NDRF, state police, Home Guards, and Air Force personnel have been deployed across the worst-hit regions. Relief materials are being airlifted to isolated communities, while emergency repair teams are working to restore essential connectivity and utilities. The government has promised all possible support, but on-ground challenges remain immense.
Climate Warnings Grow Louder
Meteorologists and environmental experts have pointed out that the intensity and frequency of such extreme weather events are increasing due to climate change. Himachal Pradesh’s mountainous terrain is particularly vulnerable, and experts are now calling for urgent upgrades in weather-resilient infrastructure, stronger early warning systems, and ecological safeguards such as regulated construction and afforestation in vulnerable zones.
