Himachal Pradesh reels under 46% excess rainfall, triggering landslides, flash floods, and heavy damages. CM Sukhu seeks urgent relief, criticizes limited central aid, and highlights climate change impacts as the state reports tragic deaths and infrastructure losses worth thousands of crores.
Himachal Pradesh continues to face severe devastation as relentless monsoon rains, far above the seasonal average, have triggered widespread landslides, flash floods, and building collapses. According to official data, the state has received over 46 percent more rainfall than normal, resulting in unprecedented destruction across several districts.
Against the normal rainfall of 692 mm till mid-September, Himachal has already recorded 1,010 mm this year. Alarmingly, this figure far surpasses the state’s usual seasonal rainfall of around 734 mm for the entire monsoon. The unrelenting downpour has overwhelmed rivers, destabilized mountain slopes, and led to numerous disasters, including tragic loss of life.
Tragic Deaths in Mandi District
In one of the most heart-wrenching incidents, three members of a family lost their lives after their house collapsed in Nihri village, Mandi district. Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan confirmed that three bodies had been recovered, while two others were rescued. Meanwhile, the state capital, Shimla, witnessed multiple landslips and cave-ins dangerously close to multi-storied residential complexes, sparking fresh concerns over urban safety in fragile hill zones.
Government’s Response and Relief Measures
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reviewed the grim situation during a high-level virtual meeting with deputy commissioners of affected districts. Expressing condolences over the deaths, he assured grieving families of full government support and directed district administrations to provide immediate assistance to the next of kin.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for proactive evacuation of residents from unsafe buildings to safer zones, given the persistent risk of landslides. He also ordered the restoration of damaged roads, irrigation networks, and water supply schemes on priority, to minimize inconvenience to affected populations. Additionally, he instructed officials to ensure the availability of essential commodities and extend timely support to families in distress.
Appeal for Central Aid
In his remarks to the media, Sukhu expressed disappointment over the limited central assistance to the state. He alleged that Union ministers were visiting flood-hit regions merely for political mileage, rather than providing concrete relief.
He pointed out that Himachal had received only Rs 400 crore out of Rs 1,500 crore sanctioned for 2023. Moreover, while the Prime Minister had announced another Rs 1,500 crore package this year, the state government is still uncertain whether the amount qualifies as a special relief package or merely scheme-based funding.
Sukhu urged the BJP leadership to press the Prime Minister for immediate release of funds so that financial assistance could reach affected families without delay. Highlighting the strain on state finances, he reiterated that the government is trying to manage relief and restoration efforts from its limited resources.
Heavy Losses Across the State
The Chief Minister said torrential rains this year have caused greater destruction than the 2023 disaster, with damages running into tens of thousands of crores. Over the past three years, Himachal Pradesh has recorded losses of about Rs 20,000 crore due to natural calamities.
This year’s monsoon has left a trail of devastation, destroying critical infrastructure such as electricity grids, water pipelines, and roads, apart from private homes and commercial establishments. The Chief Minister stressed that the ongoing crisis is a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change, which is intensifying extreme weather events in fragile Himalayan states.
Mandi’s Dharampur Among Worst-Hit
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited disaster-affected areas in Dharampur, Mandi, where losses have crossed Rs 6 crore. Floodwaters ravaged the Dharampur bus stand, sweeping away several HRTC buses and damaging houses, shops, and parked vehicles.
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The widespread damages across Himachal Pradesh underscore the urgent need for long-term disaster management strategies, stronger infrastructure planning, and sustained financial support from the Centre.
As the monsoon gradually recedes, the focus will remain on relief operations, rehabilitation of affected families, and restoration of essential services. However, the larger challenge lies in preparing the state for the growing threats posed by climate change-induced extreme weather events.
