Death Toll Mounts to 147 as Monsoon Wreaks Havoc in Himachal: Mandi, Kangra Worst Hit
By HimBumail News Desk | Updated July 25, 2025
Shimla: The monsoon fury in Himachal Pradesh has claimed 147 human lives and left a trail of devastation across all 12 districts since June 20.
According to the latest data released by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the hill state has recorded an alarming increase in deaths due to cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and road accidents — with Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, and Kullu topping the list of tragedies.
While the total financial loss has crossed ₹1,38,753 lakh, the true cost lies in the mounting human casualties. And the carnage isn’t over yet.
Roads Turn to Death Traps
The state's crumbling hill roads proved to be the deadliest this monsoon — 68 deaths were reported in road accidents alone, including five in Mandi just on July 24.
Mandi district has so far reported 28 deaths from disasters, plus 11 more from road crashes — making it the deadliest district this season. Chamba follows with 17 disaster-related deaths and 9 road fatalities, while Kangra, despite being spared landslides, recorded 22 deaths from natural calamities and 5 in road mishaps.
Cloudbursts, Landslides, and Drownings Rise
At least 14 people died in cloudbursts, 8 in flash floods, and 5 in landslides, as per district-wise breakdowns.
Drowning incidents accounted for 16 deaths—a grim reminder of the risks locals and tourists face while navigating rivers swollen beyond safe limits.
Kullu reported 8 deaths, including two each in landslides and drowning.
Bilaspur and Una each saw 5 people perish, many due to electrocution, falls, or other mishaps triggered by torrential weather.
A Grim Update on July 24
Even as the administration was tallying the cumulative impact, eight more deaths were reported on July 24 alone:
Kinnaur: 1 road accident death
Chamba: 1 road accident death
Kangra: 1 drowning
Mandi: 5 road accident deaths
This daily casualty count underscores the urgency for better preparedness, weather alerts, and disaster mitigation measures.
Animal and Property Losses Staggering
The state also reported the loss of 22,835 animals, including 21,500 poultry birds, and over 1,300 houses fully or partially damaged.
Mandi again tops the chart with 112 homes fully damaged, 344 partially, and enormous damage to public infrastructure worth over ₹1,104 lakh.
Kangra, Una, and Kullu follow closely in reporting massive property damages and crop losses. Private property loss alone stands at ₹1,145 crore, and public property at ₹2,743 crore.
What Needs Urgent Attention?
Experts say the rise in disaster-related deaths is directly linked to poor enforcement of land-use rules, construction on fragile slopes, and delayed disaster response.
The absence of real-time alerts in vulnerable areas and slow evacuation protocols continue to cost lives.
Climate activists have been demanding a full audit of high-risk zones, regulated tourism, and improved forecasting to avoid such recurring tragedies.
With nearly 600 homes destroyed, 147 lives lost, and a colossal ₹1,38,000+ lakh worth of damage in barely a month, the Himachal Pradesh monsoon season of 2025 is already one of the deadliest in recent years.
The numbers tell a story of devastation, but behind every digit is a grieving family, a collapsed home, and a fragile ecosystem on the edge.
For live updates on weather alerts and relief efforts, stay tuned to www.himbumail.com
#MonsoonTragedy #HimachalDisaster #MandiWorstHit #147Deaths #ClimateCrisis
