Heavy rains have battered Himachal Pradesh, leaving at least 37 people dead, displacing communities, and causing over ₹400 crore in damage across the hill state, with the India Meteorological Department warning of continued showers until July 7. As the relentless rain floods homes and schools, damages roads, and disrupts essential services, the state administration, Indian Air Force, and rescue teams are racing against time to provide relief to the worst-hit regions, even as environmental concerns linked to climate change surface amid the crisis.
Mandi Worst Affected as Rescue Operations Intensify
Among the most impacted regions, Mandi district, especially the Thunag subdivision, remains cut off due to damaged roads while facing severe disruptions to electricity and water supply. According to DC Rana, Special Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority and Revenue Department, damages worth over ₹400 crore have already been recorded, but the actual figure is likely to be much higher as assessments continue. Rana stated, “Our primary focus at the moment is on search, rescue, and restoration.”
In Mandi alone, 40 people have been reported missing, prompting the setup of relief camps and the air-dropping of food packets by the Indian Air Force in inaccessible areas. Senior officials, along with engineers from the Public Works Department, Electricity Board, and Jal Shakti Department, are stationed on the ground, overseeing restoration efforts in the face of ongoing rain. The rescue operations involve coordinated teams from the local administration, police, Home Guards, SDRF, and NDRF, ensuring all possible resources are mobilised to save lives and restore normalcy.
Schools, Roads, and Utilities Crippled Amid Environmental Concerns
The relentless rainfall has created chaos in Shimla, where schools are inundated, and students are facing disruptions in their education due to flooded classrooms and the fear of falling trees around their premises. A student, Tanuja Thakur, expressed to ANI the anxiety among children as their books and clothes get soaked, with teachers advising them to stay home for safety. Across the state, over 250 roads are blocked, more than 500 electricity transformers are out of service, and around 700 drinking water schemes have been severely impacted.
The death toll from rain-related incidents has reached 37, while another 26 people have died in road accidents during the same period, reflecting the treacherous conditions on the roads due to the continuous downpour. DC Rana highlighted that these severe weather events are a stark reminder of the consequences of global warming and climate change, stating, “Himachal is not untouched by these impacts.”
As Himachal Pradesh continues to brace for further rainfall, the authorities remain on high alert, monitoring weather patterns and coordinating relief efforts to address the crisis, ensuring the safety of people while attempting to minimise further damage in the coming days.
