Himachal Suffers ₹456 Crore Losses; Schools Shut Across Districts as Rains Batter State
Shimla, September 3, 2025 — The unrelenting monsoon continues to wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh, inflicting an estimated ₹456 crore in damages to public and private property. As incessant rains battered the hill state, schools in several districts, including Shimla, Chamba, and Solan, were ordered to remain closed for safety reasons.
Heavy Toll on Infrastructure
Reports from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reveal that roads, bridges, and government buildings have been among the worst affected.
- Over 1,200 roads remain blocked.
- Dozens of bridges have either collapsed or sustained critical damage.
- Multiple electricity lines are down, cutting off power to thousands of households.
Officials estimate that more than ₹250 crore worth of damage has occurred in the Public Works Department (PWD) sector alone. Agriculture and horticulture, two backbones of Himachal’s economy, have also taken a beating, with apple orchards in Shimla and Kinnaur suffering massive losses.
Schools Shut, Students Stranded
In view of the constant landslide warnings, the government declared schools closed across high-risk districts. A teacher in Chamba explained: “The ground is too unstable. We cannot risk sending children to schools when landslides are happening every few hours.”
Parents across Himachal expressed relief at the precautionary move but worried about learning disruptions, as the academic calendar has already been hampered by repeated closures due to weather.
Lives Lost, Families Affected
Authorities have confirmed dozens of fatalities in the past two weeks, mostly due to house collapses and landslides. Entire families in remote villages have been displaced. Rescue teams continue to evacuate residents from vulnerable slopes, but many remain in temporary shelters.
Voices from the Ground
A resident of Kullu shared: “Our orchard is gone. The river has eaten away half our land. We don’t know how we will repay our loans this year.”
Another family from Solan described walking miles to access relief camps: “We have lost everything. The road to our home is gone. All we have is the clothes we managed to carry.”
Government Response
The Himachal government has requested emergency relief packages from the Centre. Officials noted that ₹200 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) has already been deployed for immediate rescue and relief. Meanwhile, NDRF and Army units are actively helping with road clearance and medical assistance.
Long-Term Challenges
Experts warn that the scale of destruction reflects Himachal’s vulnerability to climate change and poor planning. Infrastructure projects, often constructed without adequate geological surveys, have collapsed under heavy rain. Dr. Anil Mehta, a Shimla-based geologist, explained: “Repeated landslides are a direct result of over-construction in fragile zones. Unless sustainable practices are adopted, such damages will only grow worse.”
Economic Blow
Himachal’s economy, heavily reliant on tourism and horticulture, has taken a severe hit. Tourists have cancelled bookings, and apple transport has slowed to a crawl. Local businesses, especially in hill towns like Manali and Shimla, report losses mounting into crores.
Relief Efforts
- More than 250 relief camps are operational across the state.
- Mobile medical teams are visiting affected villages.
- Community kitchens are serving displaced families daily meals.
Conclusion
With more rains forecasted in the coming week, Himachal Pradesh remains on edge. The staggering ₹456 crore loss underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure and better preparedness strategies. For now, thousands of families wait anxiously, hoping the weather improves before more damage is done.
Source: The Tribune India (Read Original)
Labels: Himachal Pradesh Rains, Flood Losses, Shimla Schools Closed, Monsoon 2025
Tags: #HimachalPradesh #Shimla #FloodLosses #Monsoon2025
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from The Tribune India. Jammu News Portal is not responsible for the accuracy of third-party information.
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