Himachal Pradesh floods: 69 dead, 37 missing amid heavy rains

At least 69 people have died, 37 remain missing, and 110 have been injured as Himachal Pradesh grapples with severe flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts triggered by continuous heavy monsoon rainfall, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced Friday afternoon.

A heavy rain alert remains in effect for all districts in the state until Monday, July 7.

Since the onset of the monsoon, 14 separate cloudbursts have been reported, causing extensive damage to roads, drinking water projects, and electricity supplies across multiple areas, the Chief Minister said.

Expressing solidarity with the affected families, Mr. Sukhu stated that the government will provide Rs 5,000 to each family to assist with temporary accommodation, according to news agency ANI. Search-and-rescue and relief operations are ongoing, especially in Mandi district, which has been hit hardest.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Chief Minister earlier today, pledging central government support not only for Himachal Pradesh but also for other monsoon-affected states such as Gujarat and Rajasthan.

"In the wake of heavy rainfall across the nation, I spoke with the chief ministers of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh. Adequate numbers of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed, with reinforcements ready to be sent," he said.

"All possible assistance from the central government has been assured," he added.

The monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 20 and has, as every year, caused widespread devastation. Mandi district alone has reported over a dozen deaths and at least 40 people missing. Kangra has recorded 13 fatalities, Chamba six, and Shimla five.

Additional deaths have been reported from Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una districts. Over 100 people across the state have sustained injuries.

Hundreds of houses have been destroyed, and 14 bridges washed away. Nearly 300 livestock, including 164 cattle, have also perished.