Himachal Pradesh monsoon fury: Death toll rises to 91; Mandi records highest rain-related fatalities
In its latest Cumulative Loss Report, the SDMA stated that 55 deaths were directly caused by rain-related disasters such as landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, drowning, and electrocution. The remaining 36 fatalities were linked to road accidents, many of which were triggered or worsened by the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
Monsoon-triggered disasters have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, with a trail of destruction sweeping through the hill state.
According to the SDMA, the state recorded the highest number of rain-related deaths in Mandi district (17), followed by Kangra (12) and Kullu (3), as per the Cumulative Loss Report released on July 10.
Among the casualties, 15 people died in cloudburst incidents, nine drowned, and eight lost their lives in flash floods.
Another ten fatalities were due to falls from trees or steep slopes, while four people died from electrocution and four others succumbed to unidentified causes.
Additional deaths have been linked to lightning strikes, landslides, and fire incidents triggered by the intense rains.
The same period also saw 36 road accident-related deaths, many of them indirectly caused by extreme weather. Solan, Kullu, and Chamba districts each reported six to seven such fatalities.
The report also documented 131 injuries and the death of 364 animals, as well as widespread destruction of property and infrastructure.
The estimated cumulative monetary loss stands at over Rs 74 crore. Damage included extensive harm to water supply systems, power lines, public infrastructure, and rural development works.
At least 752 houses were completely destroyed, with another 880 suffering partial damage. Agriculture and horticulture sectors were also severely affected, alongside losses in Public Works, Power, and Rural Development departments.
Restoration work is ongoing, with emergency response teams deployed in the most severely impacted areas. The SDMA has urged citizens to remain vigilant, as more rainfall is forecast in the coming days.
Amid the ongoing crisis, chief minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the affected villages of Baga, Syanj, and Panglyur in Mandi district's Nachan Assembly Constituency on Thursday.
During his visit, the chief minister met with affected families, offered condolences to those who lost loved ones, and assured all possible support from the state government.
CM Sukhu surveyed the damage firsthand and was visibly moved by the scale of the destruction. He paused at several points to speak with residents, listen to their concerns, and assess their immediate needs.
In Baga village, two deaths were reported, while in Pangliyur, nine people were swept away by flash floods. So far, four bodies have been recovered, and search operations continue for the remaining five. Residents informed the chief minister that a massive hillside collapse caused extensive damage to homes and livestock.
Assuring full support, CM Sukhu promised compensation for lost homes, cattle sheds, and livestock, and instructed the district administration to arrange proper accommodation and rehabilitation for the displaced families.
The visit was also attended by Congress leaders Chet Ram, Chandershekhar Raddey, Vijay Pal Singh, APMC Chairman Sanjeev Gularia, and senior officials including deputy commissioner Apoorv Devgan and SP Sakshi Verma.
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