Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, August 25
Himachal Pradesh is facing one of its harshest spells of monsoon destruction in recent years, with heavy rainfall triggering floods, landslides and widespread disruption across multiple districts.
For the past two days, relentless downpours have battered Kangra, Una and Chamba, leaving conditions described by officials as “extremely concerning”. Flood-like situations have emerged in low-lying areas, while landslides have blocked 625 roads, including three national highways, effectively cutting off access to several towns.
Schools and colleges in eight districts were ordered to remain shut as a precaution. The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Shimla centre has issued a red alert for Chamba, Kangra and Mandi on 25 August, and for Chamba and Kangra again on 26 August. Orange alerts have been issued for Bilaspur, Kullu and Mandi, while Shimla has been placed under a yellow alert.
“Monsoon activity remains strong across Himachal Pradesh,” said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, a scientist at IMD Shimla. “Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded in Bilaspur, Chamba, Mandi, Solan and Hamirpur. The state can expect further spells until the end of August.”
The scale of damage has been severe. In the last 24 hours alone, 1,533 power transformers were knocked out of service and 168 drinking water schemes disrupted, leaving thousands of households struggling with shortages.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, the toll of this monsoon season – from 20 June to 24 August – has already reached 303 deaths, with 360 people injured. A total of 1,212 houses have been completely destroyed and more than 37,000 partially damaged.
Local authorities say relief efforts are ongoing, but access remains a challenge in many affected regions, with roads blocked and fresh landslides reported amid continuing rain.
