Himachal Pradesh Issues Red Alert Amid Flash Floods And Landslides: 75 Dead, Travel Strongly Discouraged

Himachal Pradesh is reeling under intense monsoon conditions, with the death toll rising to 75 and the state government placing multiple districts under a red alert for heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides. As per data from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the fatalities occurred between June 20 and July 4, 2025, painting a grim picture of destruction and ongoing weather risk.Among the total deaths, 45 are directly rain-related, while 30 others stemmed from road accidents, electrocution, and a gas explosion. An additional 288 people have been injured.Infrastructure Losses and Crop Damage MountThe SEOC has estimated total losses at INR 541.09 crore, citing extensive damage to public infrastructure, roads, and private property. Thousands of hectares of agricultural and horticultural land have also been affected, though a full damage report is still pending.Relief and compensation measures have been announced by the state government for families of the deceased, while disaster response teams continue operations across the worst-hit zones.IMD Issues Red Alert: Key Tourist Districts at RiskThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts—all of which are popular with tourists during the monsoon season.An orange alert has also been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Solan, Shimla, and Kullu, with warnings for landslides, flash floods, waterlogging, and possible damage to essential services and crops.Travellers are strongly advised to postpone non-essential trips to Himachal Pradesh and monitor local advisories for weather and road status updates.Mandi Among Worst-Hit; Rescue Teams DeployedMandi district reported the maximum destruction this week, including 10 separate incidents of flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides on Tuesday alone. At least 14 people have died, and 31 remain missing in the district.In response, a team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has been deployed to Thunag, one of the worst-hit villages, where they are working in coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local administration to:Clear debrisSearch for missing personsAssist displaced familiesMeanwhile, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel conducted a field visit to Panchayat Jarode, distributing emergency medical kits, food supplies, and basic necessities to affected families. On-site medical aid was also provided to villagers in urgent need.CM Orders ‘War Footing’ Relief OpsChief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed authorities to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing in affected districts, especially in and around Mandi.The administration is under pressure to restore essential services, reopen blocked roads, and ensure that timely assistance reaches cut-off villages.What This Means for TravellersWith landslide-prone areas highly vulnerable, blocked roads, and intermittent communication blackouts, Himachal Pradesh is currently not a safe travel destination. Popular regions like Manali, Dharamshala, Shimla, and Kasol fall within impacted or high-alert zones.Travel Tips:Check the IMD weather bulletin and local district alerts before travel.Stay informed about road closures and landslide updates.Postpone all non-essential travel until alerts are lifted and conditions stabilise.Monsoon Travel Advisory: IMD Issues Alerts For These States