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NDTV
19 hours ago
- Climate
- NDTV
106 Killed During Monsoon Season In Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: The heavy rains during the monsoon season has affected life and property in parts of Himachal Pradesh and has claimed 106 lives between June 20 and July 15, 2025, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Out of the total fatalities, 62 deaths have been directly attributed to rain-related calamities such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, electrocution, and falls, while 44 people have died in road accidents during the same period. The SDMA's cumulative damage report indicates 62 rain-related deaths includes 15 in cloudburst incidents, 12 from falling from heights (trees/rocks), 11 due to drowning, 8 in flash floods, 5 each from electrocution and snake bites and 1 each in landslides and fire. Forty four road accident deaths were reported across all districts, with Mandi (4), Kullu (7), and Kinnaur (5) among the most affected. In addition to the loss of human lives, the report highlights extensive damage to property and infrastructure. Over 293 pucca and 91 kaccha houses fully damaged, nearly 850 hectares of agricultural land affected, public property losses valued at over Rs 81 crore, including roads, water supply, power infrastructure, health and education buildings. The SDMA and district authorities have been engaged in continuous rescue and relief operations, with emergency services, NDRF, and local administration actively responding to multiple incidents across the state. The disaster management authorities have appealed to the public to stay alert and follow safety advisories as heavy rainfall continues in various regions.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Himalayan floods are here to stay
It began as a heavy rain, the kind that Himachal Pradesh has seen before. But by the night of June 28, it became clear that this was no ordinary monsoon rain. Cloudbursts over the upper reaches of the Beas basin triggered a chain reaction — landslides, glacial run-off, river swelling, and catastrophic flooding. In Mandi district alone, dozens were killed, including schoolchildren swept away in school buses and entire families buried under collapsing hillside homes. As the disaster unfolded across the State, the death toll crossed 100, with many still missing, according to official estimates as of mid-July. Local rescue teams described nightmarish scenes: an elderly couple in Jogindernagar clung to a tree for nearly 10 hours before being rescued; a mother in Sarkaghat tried to shield her infant as their house caved in — only she survived. Entire stretches of National Highway no. 154 disintegrated. Power lines were torn down, communication snapped, and thousands stranded without food or medical aid. Farmers watched their orchards disappear. Small dhabas and homes — often the only sources of livelihood — were swept away in minutes. Damages across Himachal have reportedly crossed ₹2,100 crore, with Mandi bearing the brunt (State Disaster Management Authority estimates). Relief centres overflowed, and the overwhelmed local administration resorted to calling in the Army and NDRF. Yet, for many in the villages dotting the hill slopes, the help came too late. And with the monsoon only just beginning, the fear of further destruction looms large. And yet, the tragedy did not come as a surprise. It was foretold — not by oracles, but by decades of scientific warnings, community memory, and ecological common sense. The June disaster is not an exception. It is part of a deeper reckoning: the Himalayan flood is not on the horizon — it's already here. New normal The rising temperatures in the Western and Central Himalayas have fast-tracked glacial melt and made rainfall increasingly erratic. Scientific data show that the upper Himalayas have warmed by nearly 1.8 degrees Celsius in the past 50 years — almost twice the global average. The result? The monsoon arrives with violent bursts, glaciers retreat with alarming speed, and glacial lakes threaten sudden outbursts. The destruction in Mandi was just the latest flashpoint. And it won't be the last. Across regions such as Palampur and Barot, local communities no longer see floods and landslides as exceptions. Instead, they have become part of the annual cycle. As one Gaddi farmer observed, 'We don't question floods any more — they're part of childhood stories now.' Disasters are no longer occasional — they are woven into the rhythms of everyday life. Into calendars, rituals, memory, and even school routines. Anthropogenic climate legacy This is precisely the long arc of destruction the IPCC has been warning about. Emissions from the industrial era do not vanish with the monsoon; their impact lingers for decades, even centuries. The 2022 and 2023 IPCC reports confirm that we are already living with 'committed warming' — irreversible climate consequences locked in by past emissions. The glaciers now retreating will not return in our lifetimes. Flood-prone zones will continue to expand. Disasters don't merely continue; they accumulate. This means the children of the Himalayas will inherit not just a warmer world, but one marked by perpetual instability — unless the trajectory of response changes radically. Children of 1996 and beyond Here, the generational divide becomes stark. Those born before 1996 grew up in a relatively stable climate. For them, weather followed patterns, and seasons held meaning. But for those born after — the so-called 'disaster-evolved generation' — uncertainty is the only constant. These are children who, in Kullu, pack raincoats and first-aid kits in their school bags. Teenagers in Shimla grow up learning how to mark flood zones on their maps. This is not wartime mobilisation. It is climate adaptation — and it's becoming habitual. But when disasters become ordinary, the tragedy deepens. What should be shocking becomes routine. That is both our loss and our collective test. Melting mountain These floods are not just products of melting glaciers; they are the consequence of an ideology that celebrates extraction over harmony. Consider the Hindu notion of Pralay — the cosmic flood that destroys the world in cycles so it may be reborn. In the Srimad Bhagavatam, this deluge is divine. But today's Pralay is human-made, driven by unchecked greed and ecological indifference. Marx, too, offers a chilling echo: 'All that is holy becomes profane, and all that is solid melts into air.' Our sacred mountains are no longer revered — they are ripped apart to fuel roads, power plants, and tourist resorts. Hydropower projects blast riverbeds into submission; highways are cut crudely into unstable slopes. Tourism, rather than elevating the region, leaves behind plastic waste, broken trails, and ecological imbalance. We were told this was development. But each step forward in production — each road, tunnel, or intensified farming zone — erodes the Himalayan equilibrium. Infrastructure begets run-off. Deforestation triggers landslides. Marx's critique endures: the crisis isn't just about carbon emissions — it's rooted in a material system that prizes profit over preservation. Material production reimagined To respond meaningfully, we must reimagine how we build, where we build, and for whom. Infrastructure must be reoriented to work with nature, not against it. Rather than concrete storm drains that quicken run-off and erosion, flood management can adopt meandering stream corridors lined with native vegetation. Terraced forest buffers and marshlands at the foot of slopes can absorb excess rainwater and slow down deluge events. Homes and hamlets must be reconstructed atop engineered terraces — elevated, buttressed by stone retaining walls, and supported by deep-rooted grasses that anchor the soil. These are not utopian ideas. The State Disaster Mitigation Authority (SDMA) has outlined them in multiple reports. It also stipulates that no settlement should exist within five metres of natural drainage lines — a rule that remains widely violated. As for the roads that slice across hillsides, less than 30% adhere to basic slope drainage codes. Most rely on gravity — a dangerous gamble. Every monsoon, this negligence turns into a landslide headline. Institutional gaps The SDMAs of both Himachal and Uttarakhand have produced reports filled with hazard maps, vulnerability indices, and strategic frameworks. But these often end up as paper-bound intentions without executable timelines or budgets. Take Uttarakhand's plan to reinforce 15 critical stretches of the Corbett highway. There is no funding blueprint. Himachal's SDMA lists over 1,200 vulnerable buildings in Kangra and Kullu districts, but without offering relocation or structural audit strategies. What we see is a pattern — noble bureaucratic insight diluted by administrative paralysis. The problem is not in knowledge — but in will. Psychological shift In Chamoli and Kullu, the psychological landscape is shifting. Emergency kits are now as routine as ration cards. People pack water pouches, torchlights, and important documents, knowing full well that the next landslide could erase their homes in minutes. Schools and villages must go beyond token disaster drills. Regular training, community-based hazard mapping, and local radio alert systems are the need of the hour. Most important, people must also be taught what not to carry during evacuations. In many tragedies, precious minutes are lost trying to save religious artefacts or household heirlooms. Resilience must become muscle memory — not rhetoric. Liberation in adaptation The wisdom of both religious and political thought offers guidance. The Hindu invocation Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu — 'May all beings everywhere be happy and free' — reminds us that true liberation begins with security: a safe home, a reliable alert system, and a dignified livelihood. Marx reminds us that personal freedom is a mirage without collective structures. If unbridled capitalism tore through community solidarities, it is now tearing through the mountains. Real emancipation lies not in individual resilience but in collective systems: shared water buffers, state-funded terracing, and community-managed forests. The individual breathes easier when the village is strong. A call to action Mandi's devastation was not a glitch. It was a grim parable in a longer Himalayan narrative. And yet, the most dangerous mistake would be to respond with more of the same: dig, drain, and deny. We must build infrastructure that is flood-adaptive by design. Disaster mitigation agencies must move from planning to implementation — with funds, audits, and accountability. Preparedness must become a daily civic routine. And most critically, we must restore a material spirituality — one that regards the Himalayas not as a resource bank, but as a living cosmos. The 'disaster-evolved' generation already understands this intuitively. Their resilience is not a genetic trait — it is a forced adaptation. But it also holds the blueprint for the future. As the Bhagavata Purana warns, 'When earth falls into chaos, the cosmic waters rise.' But redemption does not lie in waiting for a saviour. It lies in what we choose to build now — with compassion, justice, and courage. If all that is solid melts into air, let the foundations we lay today rest not just on concrete, but on collective memory, cultural wisdom, and ecological harmony. This is Kalyug's challenge — and capitalism's reckoning. The Himalayan Pralay has arrived. Whether we drown in it or rebuild from it is entirely up to us. Tikender Singh Panwar is an author of three books on urbanisation — The Cities in Transition, The Radical City, Challenges of Urban Governance; He is a former Deputy Mayor of Shimla and currently a member of the Kerala Urban Commission; views are personal
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Climate
- India Gazette
Monsoon havoc in Himachal claims 105 lives including 61 rain-related, 44 road accidents
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 14 (ANI): The monsoon season has continued to wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh, claiming a total of 105 lives between June 20 and July 14, 2025, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Out of 105 deaths, 61 deaths were directly caused by rain-related calamities, including landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, fire incidents, and electrocution, as per the official cumulative report released by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) under the Department of Revenue. Additionally, 44 people lost their lives in road accidents, which have sharply increased due to the slippery terrain, poor visibility, and road damage caused by relentless rainfall. The worst-hit district remains Mandi, accounting for 17 rain-related deaths, followed by Kangra with 14 and Hamirpur with 7. Other fatalities occurred in Kullu, Bilaspur, Una, Shimla, Chamba, and Kinnaur districts. Officials also confirmed that more than 184 people have been injured, and damages worth over 784.6 crore have been reported to both public and private property across sectors including roads, agriculture, power, education, animal husbandry, and rural infrastructure. The SDMA noted 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 major landslides during this period. The authority has deployed rescue teams, and restoration efforts are ongoing in many blocked road sections and flood-hit regions. The Himachal Pradesh government has urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay alert to official weather warnings. Relief and ex-gratia payments are being distributed to affected families. Earlier, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh announced interim relief of Rs 2 crore for severely affected assembly constituencies and Rs 50 lakh for others for emergency infrastructure repair. The state has appealed to the Central Government for increased support, stressing that the crisis transcends political lines and demands collective action. 'This is not the time for political rhetoric. We must rise above party lines and ensure relief reaches every affected citizen,' Singh urged. The SDMA has advised residents to avoid travel in high-risk zones, especially near hillsides and rivers, as rainfall is expected to continue. Continuous monitoring, early warning systems, and rapid response mechanisms remain activated across the state. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Climate
- India Gazette
Monsoon Havoc in Himachal: 98 dead, 57 rain-related, 41 in road accident
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 14 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh continues to face a grim monsoon season, with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirming a total of 98 fatalities between June 20 and July 13, 2025, across the state. Of these, 57 deaths have been caused by rain-related disasters like landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 41 people have lost their lives in road accidents, as per the latest situation report issued at 10:00 AM on Monday. In addition to the human toll, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported widespread damage to essential public utilities, 208 roads remain blocked, including one national highway (NH-21 from Mandi to Kullu). And 139 Distribution Transformers (DTRs) have been disrupted and 745 water supply schemes are currently affected due to heavy rains and related damage. As per the Cumulative Loss Report released by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), among the rain-related fatalities, 15 people died due to cloudbursts, 9 by drowning, 8 in flash floods, 4 due to snake bites, 1 each from a landslide and fire, and 19 others due to electrocution, falls, or other reasons. No deaths were reported due to lightning. The worst-affected district is Mandi, which alone accounts for 21 of these rain-related deaths, along with 27 missing persons and extensive damage to property. Road accident fatalities were highest in Kullu, which reported 7 deaths, followed by Chamba with 6, and Shimla and Solan with 4 each. Other districts such as Mandi, Kangra, Bilaspur, Kinnaur, and Una also reported casualties. The report further states that 178 people have been injured during this period, while 34 individuals remain missing. The heavy rains and related disasters have also taken a toll on livestock, with 22,454 animal deaths recorded. Property damage includes 668 houses (fully and partially), 788 cowsheds, and 224 shops and factories. The total estimated monetary loss stands at Rs 770 crore (Rs 77,096.37 lakh). The SDMA and district administrations are actively engaged in relief and clearance operations, but continued rainfall poses challenges to accessibility and safety. Authorities have urged residents and travelers to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel to high-risk areas, and follow official advisories. 'The monsoon continues to present a major challenge to the state's disaster management machinery. Our teams are working 24/7 to restore normalcy and minimize further loss,' said a senior SDMA official. With over 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 landslides reported in just 24 days, officials have urged the public to avoid vulnerable zones, stay updated with weather advisories, and contact SEOC helpline 1070 for emergencies. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
98 killed in Himachal Pradesh as monsoon rains wreak havoc
Himachal Pradesh continues to face a grim monsoon season, with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirming a total of 98 fatalities between June 20 and July 13, 2025, across the state. Mandi: A woman at a damaged residential area in the aftermath of a cloudburst, at Thunag in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, (PTI) Of these, 57 deaths have been caused by rain-related disasters like landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 41 people have lost their lives in road accidents, as per the latest situation report issued at 10:00 AM on Monday. In addition to the human toll, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported widespread damage to essential public utilities, 208 roads remain blocked, including one national highway (NH-21 from Mandi to Kullu). And 139 Distribution Transformers (DTRs) have been disrupted and 745 water supply schemes are currently affected due to heavy rains and related damage. As per the Cumulative Loss Report released by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), among the rain-related fatalities, 15 people died due to cloudbursts, 9 by drowning, 8 in flash floods, 4 due to snake bites, 1 each from a landslide and fire, and 19 others due to electrocution, falls, or other reasons. No deaths were reported due to lightning. The worst-affected district is Mandi, which alone accounts for 21 of these rain-related deaths, along with 27 missing persons and extensive damage to property. Road accident fatalities were highest in Kullu, which reported 7 deaths, followed by Chamba with 6, and Shimla and Solan with 4 each. Other districts such as Mandi, Kangra, Bilaspur, Kinnaur, and Una also reported casualties. The report further states that 178 people have been injured during this period, while 34 individuals remain missing. The heavy rains and related disasters have also taken a toll on livestock, with 22,454 animal deaths recorded. Property damage includes 668 houses (fully and partially), 788 cowsheds, and 224 shops and factories. The total estimated monetary loss stands at ₹770 crore ( ₹77,096.37 lakh). The SDMA and district administrations are actively engaged in relief and clearance operations, but continued rainfall poses challenges to accessibility and safety. Authorities have urged residents and travelers to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel to high-risk areas, and follow official advisories. "The monsoon continues to present a major challenge to the state's disaster management machinery. Our teams are working 24/7 to restore normalcy and minimize further loss," said a senior SDMA official. With over 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 landslides reported in just 24 days, officials have urged the public to avoid vulnerable zones, stay updated with weather advisories, and contact SEOC helpline 1070 for emergencies.
