Monsoon Havoc: Landslides and Flash Floods Devastate Himachal Pradesh

Quick Summary

• Heavy rains triggered landslips, flash floods, and widespread destruction across Himachal Pradesh on August 25-26, 2025.
• Shops were washed away, buildings collapsed, highways were cut off, and residential areas inundated.
• No casualties have been reported in incidents as Monday night (August 25).
• The meteorological office issued:

– ‘Red Alert’ for kangra, Chamba, and Lahaul-Spiti districts warning of intense rainfall.
– ‘Orange Alert’ for Una, hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi & Kullu districts including Shimla city.

• Specific incidents include:

– Beas river washed away a hotel and four shops in Manali; the Manali-Leh highway is blocked.
– Collapsed buildings with about 40 shops in Balichowki area (Mandi) after evacuation earlier prevented casualties.
– Flash floods hit Kanvi area in kinnaur district; water from Ghanvi Khud entered houses in kullu.

• Educational institutions ordered to close across several districts due to safety concerns.
• SEOC reported disruptions:

– 795 roads closed, including major national highways NH3 & NH305.
– 956 power transformers and 517 water schemes disrupted as of Monday night.
– Heavy rains forecasted within the next 24 hours may worsen conditions.

Rainfall Stats: From June-August: excess rainfall measured at 703.7 mm (22% higher than seasonal average); Costs estimated at ₹2,394 crore due to rain-related losses.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ongoing torrential rains highlight the devastating impact of extreme weather on Himachal Pradesh’s infrastructure and habitat this monsoon season with meaningful disruption to connectivity via road closures that are likely hampering rescue efforts or relief distribution-especially NH3/NH305 being critical lifelines between regions.

It is noteworthy that early evacuations such as those seen in Mandi district prevented loss of life but underline an urgent need for disaster-preparedness measures amidst increasingly volatile weather patterns linked possibly excess monsoons;closures claritiesafety rationaleincy school-shutdown