Himachal Pradesh Flash Floods Updates | Residents of Thunag in Himachal Pradesh have been left reeling after catastrophic flash floods destroyed the first floor of the Himachal Cooperative Bank, the town’s only banking facility. Locals had entrusted the bank with their life savings, including jewellery worth lakhs, but now face uncertainty as the full extent of the financial loss remains unknown.
A total of 243 roads, including two national highways, remain blocked. (Photo: Go Himachal/X)
The flooding has filled the premises with water and debris, prompting residents to guard the structure against theft. Instances of valuables swept away by the floodwaters being stolen have reportedly surged in the area.
Monsoon Havoc in Himachal and Uttarakhand: Death Toll Rises, Red Alerts Issued
Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has reported 23 flash floods, 19 cloud burst incidents, and 16 landslides. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed that 78 people have died as of July 6, including 50 in rain-related incidents and 28 in road accidents.
“The cumulative toll due to various monsoon-related disasters in Himachal Pradesh has reached 78 as of July 6,” the SDMA stated.
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Breakdown of the rain-related deaths includes 14 from flash floods, eight from drowning, eight due to electrocution and accidental falls, with others succumbing to landslides, lightning strikes, and snake bites. At least 37 individuals are still missing, and 115 have sustained injuries.
Infrastructure across the state has taken a major hit. A total of 243 roads, including two national highways, remain blocked. Additionally, 278 electricity transfers are disrupted and 261 water projects are shut down.
Himachal Pradesh IMD prediction
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast “very heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning, squall” for July 7, with heavy rainfall continuing through July 8 and 9. A red alert has been issued in Sirmaur, Kangra, and Mandi, while an orange alert is active in Shimla, Solan, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, Kullu, and Chamba.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand is on high alert after the Geological Survey of India issued a landslide warning for four districts — Tehri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli. Specific subdivisions under risk include Chamoli, Ukhimath, Ghansali, Narendra Nagar, Dhanaulti, Dunda, and Chinyalisaur.
In response, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has directed all district magistrates, disaster management authorities, police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to maintain heightened vigilance.
All officers and nodal personnel from the Disaster Management Incident Response System (IRS) have been instructed to stay alert, with phones, wireless sets, and essential equipment on standby for the next 48 hours. Tourist movement in the higher Himalayan regions is to be restricted, and both pedestrian and vehicular activity halted during spells of intense rain.
Local authorities have been ordered to ensure the strategic deployment of equipment such as JCB and Pokland machines, along with adequate personnel and other necessary resources to manage emergencies in landslide-prone zones.
