A series of catastrophic cloudbursts and flash floods has claimed at least 10 lives and left 34 people missing in Himachal Pradesh, as relentless monsoon rains wreaked havoc across the northern Indian state, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) reported that 16 cloudbursts and three flash floods struck within a 24-hour period, causing widespread destruction, paralyzing communities, and deepening the region’s monsoon-related crisis.

Mandi district, located 133 km north of the state capital Shimla, bore the brunt of the disaster. “In the last 24 hours, 10 people were killed and 34 remain missing in Mandi alone,” an SEOC official stated, noting that five others were injured and 12 remain stranded in remote areas. With survival chances dwindling more than 24 hours after the initial deluge, officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams battle treacherous conditions to locate the missing.

The floods have inflicted severe damage on infrastructure, destroying a hydroelectric power project, a bridge, and a national highway, which has severely hampered relief efforts. Landslides and waterlogging have forced the closure of multiple roads across districts, isolating communities and complicating access for rescue operations. The SEOC reported that 370 people have been evacuated from high-risk zones, with search and rescue missions ongoing, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities.

The disaster is part of a broader toll exacted by the monsoon season, which began on June 20. Since then, Himachal Pradesh has recorded at least 51 deaths and 103 injuries in weather-related incidents, with infrastructure losses exceeding $33 million, according to SEOC data. The state’s rugged terrain, prone to landslides and flash floods, has amplified the devastation, with homes, roads, and agricultural lands swept away in the deluge.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh through July 7. Authorities are closely monitoring rising water levels in major rivers and streams, urging residents to avoid landslide-prone areas and low-lying flood zones. “The situation remains critical, and we are doing everything possible to ensure safety and provide relief,” said a state official, as temporary shelters and aid distribution centers are set up for displaced families.

The recurring monsoon tragedies have renewed calls for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in Himachal Pradesh, where climate change is intensifying extreme weather events. Local communities, already reeling from the loss of lives and livelihoods, face an uncertain recovery as the region braces for more rain in the coming days. (ILKHA)