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Himachal: Heavy Monsoon Rain Brings Destruction Across State, Causes Loss of Lives, Property
Shimla-After remaining weak for a month since the early arrival in Himachal Pradesh on June 13, the monsoon took a drastic turn and lashed the state with heavy rains since yesterday. In one day, the rain has caused devastation in some parts of the state. But, at the same time, the spell has brought relief to horticulturists.
Various parts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday witnessed torrential downpours, flash floods, and landslides. The worst hit was Kangra district. Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment area of Bhagasu Nag water body in Dharamshala triggered a dreadful flash flood that swept through the city and washed away several vehicles, buildings, and roads. Visual shared by locals showed the flooded area of Dharamshala as well as other parts where water bodies originating in Dhauladhar flow. The Manji River was in spate which caused extensive damage to some buildings.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Dharamshala recorded precipitation of 184 mm, which is the highest during this monsoon.
While local and national media claimed it to be a cloudburst, the IMD rejected the claims of a cloudburst in the upper catchment area of Bahgasu water body and termed it only a spell of heavy rainfall.
Cars Swept Away by Gushing Waters in Dharamshala
Further, tourists were present in hotels of Dharamshala in large numbers. The flood swept away cars parked on the roadside and hotel parking, causing a commotion among the tourists. The issue of encroachment around Bhagasu water body that narrowed the stream and construction on drainage spaces are also being linked to the flash flood.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood in Dharamshala earlier today. Vehicles stuck & submerged in water while people struggle to walk on the road. Visuals from the Bhagsu Nag area. pic.twitter.com/Oz6gAK3xHw
— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2021
The government has issued an advisory for tourists to refrain from wandering near water bodies of other places vulnerable to landslides. It also appealed not to undertake journey in affected areas until it’s unavoidable.
Building Collapsed in Flash Flood in Dharamshala
In Shahpur, a video showed a bridge being washed away. In Boh valley of the Shahpur constituency, a landslide said to have washed away about half a dozen houses. While two persons were reportedly killed due to the landslide, about 10 others were said to be missing. The road to Boh was also disconnected. Some houses had to be vacated following the landslide.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Nipun Jindal, confirmed the report. He was on his way to Boh at the time of writing this report.
The Gaggal Airport was also closed for traffic due to the inclement weather. Some shops adjoining to the area were damaged. An official of the district administration told IANS that damage was caused to property mainly built on encroached land.
In an order issued today, district officials in Kangra have been asked to remain alert.
The state government has directed the district administration to assess the losses and carry out rescue work. The Centre government said that National Disaster Management Force was on its way to affected areas.
Heavy rain lashed Sirmaur and Solan districts too. In Nahan, debris flooded houses and crops were swept away. Similarly, the rain threw life into disarray in Nalagarh and Baddi areas where heavy rains caused damage.
Building Collapses in Chaupal, Shimla
In Kupawi Tehsil of Chaupal sub-division in Shimla district, a building made of mostly wood and containing about 15 rooms, collapsed, leaving one person injured while other family members had a narrow escape.
The Aut-Largi-Sainj road was also closed following a flood in Pagalnala. The Mandi-Kullu-Manali NH was completely disconnected from the Chandigarh duet to a landslide. Public transport and tourist vehicles were said to be stuck.
Mandi-Kullu Road blocked following a landslide
The Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Himachal Pradesh will experience heavy rains during the next few days. The HP Meteorological Department has issued an orange weather warning of heavy to very heavy rains in plains and mid-hills on July 12 and 13 July and a yellow weather warning for July 14 and 15 in the state.
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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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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