4 July, 2025-Severe rainfall has triggered a deadly crisis in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, where four people have died and 16 remain missing following a landslide late Wednesday night. Continuous downpours have caused widespread disruption across northern India, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for several states.
Officials confirmed that a massive landslide, caused by saturated soil and relentless rain, buried several homes in a remote part of Mandi district. Emergency response teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and local authorities are carrying out search operations, but conditions remain dangerous due to unstable slopes and ongoing rainfall.
Rivers in the region have swelled, flooding nearby areas and forcing evacuations. Roads have been damaged or blocked by debris, affecting transport and rescue logistics. Key routes, including highways connecting major towns, have been shut down temporarily for safety reasons.
The IMD has placed Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Haryana under red alert, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall over the next two days. Officials have advised residents in vulnerable regions to stay indoors, avoid travel, and follow local safety instructions.
Disaster response teams have set up temporary shelters, and emergency supplies are being delivered to flood-affected communities. Medical assistance is also being arranged to prevent outbreaks of water-borne illnesses.
A senior disaster management official stated, “Our teams are working around the clock to locate the missing and provide relief. The situation is being monitored closely.”
This year’s monsoon season has already broken records in parts of northern India. Weather analysts link the rise in such extreme events to changing climate patterns and warn of more frequent natural disasters in the coming years.
The central government has asked all concerned agencies to remain on high alert and coordinate closely with state-level authorities. Helplines have been activated, and emergency control rooms are operating continuously.
With weather conditions likely to remain severe, people in high-risk zones are urged to remain alert and avoid waterlogged or landslide-prone areas.
