Monsoon torments mankind in Himachal Pradesh already claiming 69 lives.

Relentless monsoon fury continues to devastate Himachal Pradesh, where the death toll from rain inducing tragedies has reached 69, and 37 people are still missing. The situation remains grim in Mandi district, which accounts for 20 of the fatalities and 31 of the missing. Rescue operations by NDRF, SDRF, and local authorities are underway in several villages, many of which have been buried under landslides, swept away by flash floods, or submerged in mud.

Since the past 13 days, since the onset of the monsoon, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 43 deaths due to rain relating incidents and another 26 due to road accidents. It was on 01^st. July, 25 deaths were reported from Mandi and Kangra districts alone. Officials fear that the chances of survival for those still missing are slim. The cumulative damage in the state is massive. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, the estimated losses have reached over Rs 495 crore. This includes more than Rs. 287 Crores in damage to public infrastructure and Rs 203 crore to private property.

A total of 276 houses have been damaged, with 22 fully destroyed. Cowsheds, shops, schools, and bridges have also been washed away. The toll on livestock is equally grim, with 282 animals lost. Around 300 people have been injured in the disaster, and thousands have been displaced or affected.

The rising water level in major reservoirs has triggered alarms. Gates have been opened at several dams to manage the inflow. Authorities have declared at least four dams—including Kuppa Barrage and Baira—as unsafe or under close watch due to high silt or water pressure. Malana-II remains non-operational since last year’s flash flood, but its gates are open as a precaution. Kol Dam, Bhakra, and Larji are also nearing critical levels, prompting orange alerts and downstream warnings.

ISRO satellite data, being monitored by the National Disaster Management Centre, has issued moderate landslide warnings at 22 locations across Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Kangra. Places like Prashar, Kotropi, Dagshai, Jutogh, Baldun, and the Griffon Peak belt are under active watch due to slope instability and movement.

In Shimla district, the situation is no less alarming. On July 1, a five-storey building collapsed in Bhattakufar, near the under-construction Shimla – Dhalli four lane. The incident has triggered public panic and led the district administration, under Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, to order an inquiry led by the Additional District Magistrate to investigate the cause. Heavy rain, cloudbursts, and landslides have battered Mandi district, where several interior roads remain cut off, and bridges and houses have vanished in gushing waters. The administration is struggling to restore connectivity. Helicopters were deployed in some areas like Thunag to rescue pregnant women and deliver supplies. Relief camps have been set up for those displaced, and efforts are being made to ensure food, shelter, and medical aid.

As the weather department predicts continued rainfall for the next 48 hours, authorities have urged people in vulnerable regions to remain indoors and follow safety advisories. The scale of the disaster has left many in shock, and the full extent of the damage may only emerge once the weather clears.

Team Maverick.