Munish Sood
MANDI: A powerful flashflood triggered by a cloudburst around 2.30 am on the upper reaches of Kanaan village in Lag Valley devastated parts of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh early on Tuesday (August 19, 2025).
Three shops were swept away in the deluge while farmlands, orchards and standing crops sustained extensive damage. The Sarvari rivulet saw a dangerous rise in water level and a bridge was damaged, cutting off movement for villagers in the area.
With heavy rainfall persisting since Monday night, the district administration ordered the closure of all schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, anganwadi centers and training institutes in Kullu and Banjar subdivisions on Tuesday. Officials reported widespread disruptions due to cloudbursts, flashfloods, landslides and collapsing road links.
130 dead in monsoon mayhem so far
The incident in Kullu reflects the broader crisis unfolding across Himachal Pradesh this monsoon season. More than 300 roads, including two national highways, remain blocked due to landslides and flashfloods.
The damage to infrastructure, property and agriculture is already estimated at over Rs 2,000 crore. Around 760 power transformers and nearly 200 drinking water schemes have been disrupted, severely affecting daily life.
Since the onset of the monsoon in late June, the state has endured over 70 flashfloods, more than 30 cloudbursts and dozens of major landslides, leaving over 130 people dead and several missing.
Pattern of escalating disasters
This year’s events mark yet another reminder of Himachal’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather. Over the past few years, the state has recorded hundreds of flashfloods and cloudbursts, alongside thousands of landslides.
Experts warn that the economic toll — routinely crossing Rs 2,000 crore annually — is becoming unsustainable, with climate change amplifying the frequency and severity of such disasters. The administration is currently focused on road clearance, restoring power and water supply, and ensuring the safety of communities in flood-hit areas.
Educational institutions in sensitive regions have been temporarily shut to protect children and staff. Proposals for stronger bridges, improved drainage, and disaster-resilient infrastructure are being considered at the state level.
