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Pics: Monsoon fury in Himachal kills 19 in 36 hours, hit 923 roads including 6 NHs
Shimla: During the past three days, Himachal Pradesh witnessed the wrath of heavy rain as about 18 people were killed with the highest eight casualties in Solan district. Shimla, as per the Meteorological Department, has received 172 mm rainfall in 24 hours – which is the second highest for the month of August after 1901.p;
In Solan, a landslide buried a family of four with their home. The water levels in rivers and rivulets of the State were recorded very high. The dams are also releasing water into the rivers after the heavy downpour.
Shimla witnessed felling of over 70 trees and several landslides that buried about three dozen vehicles and caused damage to several others.
A major landslide was also reported on Mehli-Shoghi bypass near Beolia in Shimla that buried several cars.
Several houses/jhuggi’s were also taken down by heavy rain in Krishna Nagar of Shimla in which over 30 people were said to have rendered homeless. It was alleged that these people did not get any considerable relief from the district administration.
Near Phagali on Shimla-Dhali Bypass
The traffic was choked on Shimla-Chandigarh and Manali-Chandigarh NH too due to which tourists, as well as locals, remain stuck in traffic for several hours.
The rains also hit the railway services on the Kalka-Shimla track due to which all trains were cancelled. There were reports of fresh landslides in Shimla-Chandigarh NH on Tuesday. The traffic flow also remained disrupted on Tuesday as well.
In some parts, felling of trees caused damage to power supply lines resulting in a blackout.
Houses collapsed as land caves in
About 923 roads were closed due to landslides in the state including six national highways and about 1,000 others were also affected temporarily.
The government said that work of restoration and clearance of roads is underway and assured relief by Tuesday evening.
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As per the information received at the state headquarters, 19 casualties have been reported so far from various districts including one each in Bilaspur and Una districts, two in Hamirpur, four in Mandi and eight in Solan district.
The rain has also caused losses to farmers as well as apple growers. The blockage of roads caused huge inconvenience to trucks carrying apple crops.
Educational institutes remained closed for August 13 and 14 keeping in view the prediction of bad weather.
Tourists and locals were advised not to go along river-banks and district administrations were told to keep a close vigil on tracking activities.
As per the Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, the Manali national highway was blocked due to constant landslides.
In Kangra district, traffic was affected on 85 roads and most of these were cleared by Monday evening. Pathankot-Mandi road was cleared for light vehicles and the people stranded in Lambagaon were rescued by the administration.
In Hamirpur district, two casualties were reported in Bhoranj area due to landslips. The DC informed that 50 roads have been reopened for traffic and remaining 13 roads would be restored by tomorrow.
Deputy Commissioner Solan informed that eight casualties have been reported in Solan district. In all, 102 roads have been damaged in the district out of which traffic has been restored on 62 roads. The Kumarhatti-Nahan road has also been reopened for light vehicles.
In Bilaspur district, Swarghat national highway and Bilaspur-Shimla road have also been made through for traffic while the work on restoring the interior roads was in progress.
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In Kinnaur district, Maling Nallah and Skibba roads have been restored and the road to Sangla valley would also be made through by today evening where few tourists are stranded.
In Lahaul-Spiti district, Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu road is blocked due to landslide and Meling-Kaza road has been restored.
One casualty has been reported in Mandi district and the vehicular traffic has been suspended as water approached the main road near Hanogi on national highway-21.
The Government of Himachal Pradesh has released Rs. 96.50 crore for relief and rescue operation in the state following losses to human life and the property due to heavy rainfall during last 24 hours.
The government has so far released Rs. 229 crores since April 1, 2018, and more funds would be released as per the requirement of the districts.
No Heavy Rains During Next 5 Days: Met
However, the Meteorological Department has predicted that there was no possibility of heavy rainfall in the state in the next five days.
A few places over middle and low hills and at isolated places over higher reaches in the next three days could witness light-to-moderate rainfall is likely to occur at, said Manmohan Singh, director, Meteorological Centre, Shimla.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
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Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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