Forecasts suggest heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated pockets over the next 48 hours, further complicating ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Mandi district remains the epicentre of destruction, recording the highest casualties so far. According to the State Disaster Response Centre, 98 lives have been lost since June 20, including two recent deaths in a road accident.
Thirty-four people are still missing, while 156 have sustained injuries. Cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods have been the main causes of death and destruction.
Relief efforts are being severely hampered by incessant rainfall and repeated landslides. Key roads, including the Mandi- Pandoh and Taleli- Trifalghat routes, remain blocked, while many link roads are barely navigable for light motor vehicles.
The weather has also disrupted helicopter sorties, delaying aerial aid and evacuations. According to Mandi Police’s latest advisory, movement on several roads remains restricted due to the risk of further landslides.
With rescue teams like NDRF, SDRF, and Indian Army stretched thin across multiple flash flood and cloudburst-hit areas, restoring essential services remains a daunting challenge.
Over 15 bridges and hundreds of roads are damaged across the state. Employees from the PWD, Jal Shakti Vibhag, and Electricity Board have had their leaves cancelled as restoration work continues on a war footing.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has rushed to New Delhi to seek special assistance from the Centre. However, the state government has expressed dissatisfaction over what it perceives as inadequate central support since the 2023 monsoon disaster.
Political observers note that constituencies represented by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur have borne the brunt of the damage, which may compel the central government to respond more decisively this time.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged citizens and tourists to avoid landslide-prone, hilly, and riverine areas and follow official advisories strictly.
