An relentless and intense monsoon season has triggered a series of disasters across several Indian states, with landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure collapses reported in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, and Manipur. Authorities are on high alert as rescue and relief operations are underway to help affected communities and restore damaged infrastructure.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Hit Hardest
The Himalayan states have borne the brunt of the monsoon’s fury. In Himachal Pradesh, the death toll from rain-related incidents and road accidents since June 20 has tragically risen to 409, with the state reporting a total loss of ₹4,504 crore. A recent landslide in the Nihri area of Mandi district claimed at least three lives, while another massive landslide in Shimla trapped vehicles and blocked a major road.
In neighboring Uttarakhand, heavy overnight rainfall triggered a cloudburst in Sahastradhara, leading to widespread damage and the collapse of a bridge on a national highway. Officials have rescued over 900 people, but more than a dozen have died in rain-related incidents. A red warning has been issued for Dehradun, Champawat, and Udhamsingh Nagar, urging residents to stay vigilant.
Infrastructure Damage and Displacements
The crisis has also crippled connectivity and displaced thousands of people in other regions. In Jammu and Kashmir, a newly constructed 32 km road in the Rajouri district has been completely closed for over two weeks due to landslides and land subsidence, cutting off vital access for students and patients. In Manipur, severe flooding from breached river embankments in the Iril and Thoubal rivers has submerged homes and roads, forcing thousands into relief camps.
Even in Jharkhand, the continuous downpour caused a road to collapse in Ranchi, leading to a vehicle sinking into the ground. While no injuries were reported, the incident highlighted the severe impact of prolonged waterlogging. Authorities across all affected regions are actively engaged in rescue missions and have prioritized the restoration of essential services.