SHIMLA: Despite a brief respite from continuous rain on Wednesday, Himachal Pradesh continues to reel from the devastating aftermath of flash floods and landslides. The Beas River and its tributaries remain swollen, causing widespread destruction across the state. The ongoing monsoon havoc has left a trail of collapsed buildings, damaged highways, and marooned communities, with the total monsoon-related death toll now at 310 since June 20, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
Widespread Destruction in Manali and Kullu
The most significant damage has been reported in the Kullu and Manali districts, where the powerful currents of the Beas River have caused unprecedented destruction. In the early hours of Tuesday, a multi-storey hotel and four shops in Manali were completely swept away. Viral visuals from the Raison toll plaza showed the Beas river overflowing its banks and flowing directly through the road, turning the area into a fast-moving torrent. The swollen river has also severely damaged parts of the Chandigarh-Manali and Manali-Leh highways, cutting off the popular tourist destinations from the rest of the state.
Since Monday evening, the state has reported 12 flash floods, two major landslides, and one cloudburst. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported in these specific incidents, but the total death toll from monsoon-related events since June has climbed significantly. According to the SDMA, 158 deaths are directly linked to rain-related incidents like flash floods, landslides, and drowning, while another 152 have died in road accidents on rain-affected roads.
CM Attributes Damage to Climate Change
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has attributed the unprecedented devastation to “climate change and global warming.” He warned that the Himalayas are likely to face more severe damage in the future due to these factors. Sukhu has appealed to the Central government for a special relief package to help the state recover from the extensive damage.
According to State Minister Vikramaditya Singh, the Public Works Department (PWD) alone has suffered an estimated loss of around ₹1,400 crore, with ₹550 crore in the last three days alone. The damage includes washed-away roads and bridges.
Ongoing Challenges and Relief Efforts
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that 680 roads remain closed across Himachal Pradesh, with the highest numbers in Mandi (343) and Kullu (132). Furthermore, 1,413 electricity transformers and 420 water supply schemes are non-functional, leaving thousands without power and water.
Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S. Raveesh has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay safe. She confirmed that evacuation efforts are underway in vulnerable areas. The India Meteorological Department has issued a forecast of “isolated heavy rainfall” for the next seven days, keeping authorities on high alert for further emergencies.