(Source: Matrize IANS)
Himachal, Uttarakhand Floods Update: Over 130 Dead In 30 Days As Floods, Landslides Wreak Havoc
Monsoon havoc in Himachal and Uttarakhand leaves 130+ dead. Flash floods, landslides, and road accidents cause massive destruction. Rescue ops ongoing as rains continue to lash hill states.
Relentless rains continue to wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, leaving a devastating trail of destruction and heartbreak. In the span of just over a month, more than 130 people have lost their lives in these two northern hill states, as the monsoon's fury triggers flash floods, deadly landslides, and tragic road accidents.
Uttarakhand: Nature’s Wrath and Road Calamities Claim 70 Lives
Since June 1, Uttarakhand has recorded 70 deaths, with 20 people killed in natural disasters and another 50 in road accidents, according to data released by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
Tragedy struck hardest in the hill districts, where torrential rain has created a flood-like situation in multiple regions. Uttarkashi reported the highest number of casualties due to natural disasters, with eight lives lost. Meanwhile, Dehradun and Rudraprayag each reported nine fatalities in road accidents, the highest in the state.
The rising Alaknanda River in Rudraprayag has surged over 20 meters, swallowing ghats, pathways, and even a 15-foot-tall Shiva idol near the Belni bridge. Tributaries like the Mandakini are also swelling dangerously, prompting urgent warnings from authorities. Residents have been strictly advised to stay away from riverbanks as rescue teams remain on high alert.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Water level of Alaknanda River rises, submerging small temples and a statue of Lord Shiva in Rudraprayag. pic.twitter.com/AKGxZXm8b2
— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2025
In the past month alone, nine people have gone missing and nine more were injured in disaster-related incidents, while road accidents left 177 injured and seven missing.
Himachal Pradesh: Cloudbursts, Landslides, and a Mounting Death Toll
Just across the border, Himachal Pradesh is grappling with an even grimmer scenario. As of the latest reports, at least 63 people have died, and dozens remain missing, following days of intense rainfall that has triggered 11 cloudbursts, multiple flash floods, and a major landslide.
The Mandi district has emerged as ground zero for destruction, reporting 17 deaths and 40 people missing. Entire villages have been buried under debris, while visuals on social media show terrifying torrents of muddy water carrying away homes, bridges, and livestock.
In Sirmaur, a harrowing video showed boulders and mud crashing down a hillside as bystanders screamed warnings—an image that underscores the mounting fear and helplessness in the region.
Whoahh, that was close!!
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) May 30, 2025
A massive landslide hit the Shillai area of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, India today, along National Highway 707 👀pic.twitter.com/nVvfZWty90
The toll continues to rise. On Wednesday, six more bodies were recovered in Mandi, pushing the district’s death count from flash floods and cloudbursts to 11. Search-and-rescue teams are working around the clock, but worsening weather and further warnings of flash floods in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla threaten to hamper operations.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the battered village of Syathi in Dharampur and announced a special relief package for those who lost homes, along with compensation for livestock and cattle sheds destroyed in the floods.
Infrastructure Crippled, Humanitarian Crisis Looms
- The scale of the devastation is staggering. As per officials:
- Property damage exceeds ₹400 crore, and could be far higher.
- Over 500 roads are shut down across Himachal Pradesh.
- 918 power transformers are non-functional, plunging thousands into darkness.
- Hundreds of homes, 14 bridges, and 31 vehicles have been destroyed.
- At least 300 livestock—including 164 cattle—have perished.
The SEOC reports that 370 people have been rescued so far, including 316 in Mandi alone. However, 11 people remain stranded, and with fresh rain warnings in place until Monday, July 7, the situation remains precarious.
#WATCH | Mandi, HP | Several houses have been damaged and vehicles have washed away due to cloudburst and continuous heavy rainfall in the Seraj constituency.
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2025
(Visuals from Bassi village, Seraj) pic.twitter.com/uxz1ky0cFA
A Region on Edge: Fragile Hills, Unpredictable Skies
With every monsoon season, the vulnerabilities of these mountainous states come to the forefront. Landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods are becoming more frequent and more deadly. The emotional and economic toll is deep—thousands displaced, homes lost, and entire communities left to pick up the pieces.
As rains continue to pound the region, authorities are urging extreme caution. Travel has been suspended in several high-risk areas, and disaster response teams remain on standby.
In the face of such devastation, one question haunts many: How many more lives must be lost before long-term safeguards are put in place?
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