By Sulagna Halder
Shimla, 7 July 2025:
It has become even tragic as monsoon havoc in Northern India swept a total of 78 lives in Himachal Pradesh and put the high alert of high risk of flash floods and landslides in four districts of Uttarakhand- Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi radiated by the state authorities
Himachal has been hit by 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts, 16 landslides since the start of monsoon on 20 June resulting into 50 deaths due to rain related incidents; another 28 in road accidents. Critical infrastructure has been crippled: there are more than 269 highways blocked, 285 transformers destroyed and 278 water supply systems disrupted, which prompted the state emergency units to go into action and restore vital lifelines.
The worst hit Mandi district recorded a disastrous collapse at Himachal Cooperative Bank, and submerged the first floor rendering jewellery and documents worth crores to ruins. It was referred to by a local resident Hari Mohan as the only bank in a town with eight thousand residents, now to rubble.
Reacting to this, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut who represents Mandi visited Thunag subdivision with former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to meet the locals and to monitor the relief work. She reassured families affected that although the Prime minister Narendra Modi was abroad, he was seriously looking over the situation and that central forces and necessities were already brought in quickly to fight off the situation. It is the role of an MP to introduce funds as well as inform the government of the reality on ground, she told ANI.
But Kangana was criticized on the issue of late outreach. Congress, which is the opposition party, used the words of former CM Thakur in opposing her silence initially “I do not wish to comment on those who do not care”, she said . She replied on X that she had been told to wait until the damaged roads were back up and assured her that she would, “be there soonest possible”.
In the meantime, India Meteorological Department sounded red alerts in Mandi, Kangra and Sirmaur as well as orange alerts in Shimla, Solan, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, Kullu and Chamba because it forecasted heavy rains to occur again. Geological Survey of India has issued 7-8 July landslide alert in the four Uttarakhand districts and local authorities have prepositioned personalities and equipment.
According to Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, nearly 63 people had died and property worth 400 crore has been destroyed, with 40 people unaccounted in Mandi alone. Relief is being done by rescue teams consisting of SDRF, NDRF and state disaster personnel and they are taking high level vigilance in sensitive areas.
People have been asked not to leave their residential areas, not to go to the riverbanks and steep paths and leave in accordance to the evacuation decisions. Policymakers are focusing on the replication of internet connectivity, shelter, medicine and clean water to the people. The rains have yet to subside so weather officials caution that there will be continued disruption and precaution when traveling and moving around should be taken.
