Monsoon Mayhem

---

 Monsoon Mayhem: Himachal Drowns in a Disaster of Government’s Own Making 

Since late June, Himachal Pradesh—particularly the mountainous districts of Kullu, Mandi, and Kangra—has been battered by relentless cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. What began as a seasonal monsoon quickly escalated into a catastrophic crisis.

According to official data, 34 people have died in rain-related incidents between June 20 and 28, with 74 others injured and over 130 animals lost. The estimated infrastructure damage has crossed ₹71 crore. Other credible reports suggest at least 31 deaths across the state and damages estimated at over ₹300 crore.

Key infrastructure—including 37 roads, 47 power transformers, and dozens of water supply schemes—have been rendered nonfunctional. Local economies have come to a standstill, and thousands remain at the mercy of collapsing slopes, rising river levels, and blocked access routes.

• In Kangra, at least 20 individuals are feared to have been swept away by flash floods following multiple cloudbursts.
   
• In Mandi district, 9 people were confirmed dead, with several still missing. Entire stretches of roads and small bridges have vanished under debris and slush.
   
• In Kullu, the situation turned dire as multiple settlements near hydro projects were submerged. Five laborers working at a construction site were drowned.
   
• Elsewhere, three individuals died near Dharamshala, and more than a dozen remain unaccounted for.
   

The scale of human tragedy is staggering, as families were caught unaware and entire households lost their shelter, belongings, and livelihood within minutes.

Entire stretches of roads have been washed away or blocked by massive landslides. National Highways connecting key regions—NH 03, NH 154, and NH 505—have seen multiple disruptions.

Over 38 houses have been completely destroyed, and more than 130 partially damaged. Power and water lines remain disrupted across vast rural belts, and internet connectivity has been unreliable for emergency coordination.

Hydropower stations in valleys like Sainj, Parvati, and Larji have halted operations, leading to further energy shortages.

Despite early warnings from the Meteorological Department, the Himachal Pradesh government failed to activate preventive measures in time.

• There was no effective early warning system or public awareness campaign prior to the onset of heavy rains.
   
• Local administrations failed to cordon off riverbanks or issue timely evacuation advisories in high-risk areas.
   
• Relief efforts began only after the devastation, with rescue teams arriving late, and in many places, without adequate equipment.
   

The Chief Minister’s directive for district commissioners to remain alert and available 24x7 has largely been symbolic. On the ground, there is visible disarray, lack of coordination, and poor logistical planning.

From 2020 to 2024, over 1,500 people have died in monsoon-related incidents in the state. Yet, basic systems like slope-stabilization, scientific construction practices, and dedicated climate-resilience planning are glaringly absent.

Local citizens, activists, and even former bureaucrats have begun raising strong questions:

• Why has Himachal Pradesh not adopted real-time flood mapping technologies?
   
• Why are unauthorised constructions along rivers still being approved?
   
• Where is the accountability for pre-monsoon preparedness?
   

Many believe the tragedy was avoidable—or at the very least, its scale could have been mitigated. The disaster has exposed the chronic underfunding of disaster response agencies, the lack of scientific town planning, and the political neglect of vulnerable hill communities.