Himachal’s Monsoon Toll Rises to 157; Fresh Heavy Rain Alert Issued for 11 Districts
Shimla, July 29:
As relentless rains continue to hammer Himachal Pradesh, the official death toll this monsoon season has surged to 157 combining 93 rain-related casualties and 64 road accident deaths, as per government data.
The most recent tragedy struck Chhoti Bhabhan village in Kotkhai tehsil (Shimla district), where a family of four—Bhagat Ram (48), his wife Reeta Devi (40), and daughters Anjali (14) and Ankita (10)—was buried alive after their house collapsed during heavy downpour around midnight on Sunday.
In Mandi Town, flood killed three while a womn remained missing in late night flood in Jail Road in Mandi Town
Despite villagers rushing to rescue the family, all four were found dead under the debris. Kotkhai SDM Devendra Mehta confirmed the incident and said ₹25,000 has been released as immediate assistance, with full ex-gratia to follow under the state disaster relief fund.
This is just one of many such incidents that have turned this year’s monsoon into a season of mourning across the hill state.
Heavy Rain to Continue — Fresh IMD Alert Sounds Alarm
Even as rescue operations continue in affected areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the next few hours, warning:
> “Light to moderate rainfall at most places, heavy at a few places, and very heavy rainfall at isolated spots is very likely over Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una districts.”
The next three hours are critical, and people living in vulnerable areas—especially near riverbanks, steep slopes, and known landslide zones—have been advised to stay indoors. District administrations have been told to remain on high alert and keep NDRF and SDRF teams ready for quick deployment.
Nature’s Fury Meets System’s Frailty
Since June, 93 people have died due to landslides, house collapses, flash floods, electrocution, and drowning, while 64 lives were lost in rain-induced road mishaps, including multiple bus and truck crashes in foggy, slippery conditions.
In total, 154 people have lost their lives in rain-related tragedies, making this one of the deadliest monsoon seasons in recent memory.
Environmental experts and civil society groups have warned that unless hill-state planning shifts toward climate-resilient infrastructure, the annual ritual of disaster, rescue, and compensation will keep repeating—with rising human and economic costs.
The state is reeling. The hills are soaked. And with more rain on the radar, the next few days will be critical.
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