Himachal Pradesh Monsoon Devastation: 386 Lives Lost, Rs 4,465 Crore in Damage
The monsoon rains of 2025 have battered Himachal Pradesh like never before, turning the scenic hills into a zone of tragedy and destruction. According to the latest report from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), a shocking 386 people have died since June 20, with economic losses skyrocketing to Rs 4,465 crore.
Out of these deaths, 218 happened due to rain-related disasters. Heavy downpours triggered landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drownings, electrocutions, snake bites, and even house collapses. Sadly, road accidents claimed another 168 lives, pushing the total toll even higher.
The impact goes beyond humans. Over 2,083 animals have died, and more than 26,955 poultry birds perished in the chaos. Injuries affected 451 people, while 1,544 houses got completely destroyed. Shops (41), cow sheds (38), labour huts (66), and hundreds of partially damaged homes add to the widespread damage across districts.
When it comes to money, the numbers are staggering. The total loss stands at Rs 4,46,574.93 lakh. Roads took the biggest hit with Rs 2,71,879 lakh in damage from the Public Works Department (PWD). Water supply and irrigation schemes suffered Rs 1,38,644 lakh, while the power sector lost Rs 13,946 lakh. Agriculture, horticulture, education, fisheries, and rural development infrastructure also faced heavy blows.
District-wise, Mandi saw the most rain-related deaths at 37, followed by Kullu (31), Kangra (33), and Chamba (21). For road accidents, Mandi led with 24 fatalities, then Chamba (22), Kangra (21), and Shimla (18).
Restoration work is underway, but challenges remain. Hundreds of roads, transformers, and water supply schemes are still disrupted. SDMA officials call this one of the worst disasters the hill state has faced in decades. They stress the urgent need for more central government support and tailored disaster relief policies for hilly areas, where rebuilding costs 20-30 times more than in the plains.
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