The majestic peaks and lush valleys of the Himalayas have long been a wonder of nature. Yet, this region now suffers from daily disasters. Events like landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods threaten the Himalayas' fragile beauty.
Monsoon season intensifies the devastation. Western Himalayan states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir are hardest hit. The 2025 monsoon season has been record-breaking.
2025 Monsoon: A New Record of Destruction
This year, the monsoon arrived early, sparking a series of disasters. From January to August 2025, the Himalayan states faced daily calamities. According to DTE analysis, at least 632 people died between January 1 and August 18. With September rains continuing, this number might rise.
Source: aajtak
Cumulatively, India experienced 743.1 mm of rain from June to September, 6.1% above normal levels. Northwest India recorded 265 mm of rain in August, the highest since 2001. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts September rainfall will exceed 109% of normal.
Himachal Pradesh endured the most devastation. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 340 people died between June 20 and now—182 from rain-related incidents like landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and drownings, and 158 from road accidents.
Uttarakhand saw at least 145 deaths, Jammu & Kashmir 122, and Punjab 29. Estimated damages exceed 20,000 crore rupees. Roads, electricity, and water supplies are disrupted. In Himachal, 1,334 roads are closed, including 4 national highways. Mandi district has 281 obstructed roads.
Source: aajtak
Main Causes Behind the Disasters
The plight of the Himalayas stems from multiple factors, with climate change and human activities being the primary ones. Where once there was sparse rainfall in the high Himalayan regions, now there's persistent heavy rain. Debris (moraines) accumulates near glaciers.
When rain saturates this debris, water saturation occurs, leading to rapids in narrow valleys. Landslides trigger chain reactions ending in flash floods.
Uttarakhand's Dharali:
On August 5, 2025, flash floods struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi district. Initial investigations suggested moraine-induced glacier lake burst conditions. Four people died, over 70 went missing, and 40-50 homes and hotels were swept away. The army camp was also affected. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said rescue efforts were hampered by persistent rain.
Source: aajtak
Himachal's Mandi:
A flash flood hit Mandi city after a cloudburst from July 28-29, 2025. Rainfall at the 3,300-meter elevation around Shikari Mata Temple caused multiple villages and markets to wash away. Three people died, totaling 51 deaths in July alone.
Other Incidents:
On August 14, 44 people, mostly pilgrims, died from a cloudburst in Chashoti, Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir. A landslide led to 34 deaths on Vaishno Devi's route on August 27. In Punjab, 1,400 villages and 300,000 acres of crops were flooded. Cloudburst trends are increasing; while IMD reports no major cloudbursts, mini ones are more frequent.
Human Factors Remain Significant:
Unplanned roads, tunnels, hotels, deforestation, and excessive concrete weaken the mountains. Pushing large projects in tectonically sensitive areas invites disaster. The Supreme Court committee warned of this, but improvements are lacking.
Source: aajtak
Rescue and Prevention Measures
Immediate steps are essential to mitigate these disasters. Firstly, identify flash flood paths and maintain clear zones in those areas. Adhere to IMD alerts—such as closing schools and halting travel under red alerts. The army, NDRF, and SDRF rescued thousands; over 5000 people have been rescued.
The central government dispatched an inter-ministerial team to assess damage. However, for long-term solutions, eco-friendly development, forest conservation, and robust weather forecasting are crucial. Locals claim this isn't a natural disaster but human-made.
It's Time to Act
The Himalayas are our natural treasure, but if corrective actions aren't taken, devastation will escalate. Disasters escalate with climate change and incorrect development models. Government, scientists, and society must collaborate. Stay alert and adhere to warnings.
