At least 63 people have died and dozens more are missing as Himachal Pradesh battles cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, after days of continous and heavy monsoon rainfall.
A heavy rain alert is in place for all districts in the state till Monday, July 7.
Property worth Rs 400 crore has been damaged, the government said, noting relief and search-and-rescue operations were underway, particularly in Mandi district, the worst-affected.
“We have recorded over Rs 400 crore in losses so far… as entered in our system. But the actual damage is likely much higher,” DC Rana, Special Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority and the Revenue Department, said, “Our focus now is on search, rescue, and restoration.”
Photo Credit: PTI
“Detailed damage assessment will take time,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has promised relief and help, not just for Himachal but other states affected by the monsoon, including Gujarat and Rajasthan.
“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…”
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 teams have been deployed in the states for the people in need, and more reinforcements…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 4, 2025
“Assured them of all possible assistance from the central government,” he said.
The monsoon entered Himachal Pradesh June 20 and, as it does every year, wreaked havoc across the state. The latest information indicates Mandi district alone has reported 17 deaths, while 13 people have been confirmed killed in Kangra, six in Chamba, and five in Shimla.
Photo Credit: PTI
The most-affected areas in Mandi are Thunag and Bagsayed, both of which are within the Assembly constituency held by former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur. Mandi’s Karsog and Dharampur areas have also reported heavy destruction.
READ | Himachal Rain Fury: 34 Missing, Search Ops Continues In Mandi
Now at least 40 people have been reported missing from Mandi alone.
Deaths have also been reported from Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Sirmauar, Solan, and Una districts. Over 100 people have been injured across the state.
Photo credit: PTI
In addition, hundreds of houses have been destroyed and 14 bridges have been washed away.
Also, nearly 300 livestock, including 164 cattle, have been killed.
Across the state, over 500 roads have been closed and over 500 electricity distribution transformers, or DTRs, are non-functional, leaving tens of thousands of people, literally, in the dark. The resutling scarcity of water and food has been flagged as a looming humantiarian disaster.
Photo Credit: PTI
Terrifying visuals have emerged online, showing rivers turning into muddy brown oceans sweeping through the countryside, breaking down and carrying away entire houses.
Other videos show towns and villages almost entirey destroyed, with inhabitants picking their way throug debris-strewn hillsides. A landslide was reported in Shimla’s Dhalli suburb.
A video of the Dhalli landslide was shared Doordarshan News’ Himachal Pradesh channel on X.
शिमला : ढली के लिंडीधार में भारी लैंडस्लाइड – फोरलेन का डंगा गिरा – सैंकड़ों सेब के पेड़ दबे।
घर छोड़ भागे लोग, 5 घरों को खतरा।#Shimla #Dhali #Landslide #HimachalNews #DDNewsHimachal pic.twitter.com/dKaekscobU
— DD News Himachal (@DDNewsHimachal) July 3, 2025
Another video, from Sirmaur district, was even more terrifying.
Whoahh, that was close!!
A massive landslide hit the Shillai area of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, India today, along National Highway 707 👀pic.twitter.com/nVvfZWty90
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) May 30, 2025
It showed a torrent of boulders and mud crashing down the side of a hill and across a narrow dirt road; the person filming the video can be heard shouting at those near the landslide to run for their lives.
With input from agencies
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