Severe monsoon-triggered weather wreaks havoc in Himachal Pradesh, leaving five dead and causing widespread destruction.

In yet another tragic reminder of the growing intensity of India’s monsoon season, Himachal Pradesh has been hit by heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and sudden flash floods that have claimed the lives of at least five individuals. Torrential rains lashed several districts, particularly Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba, where rivers swelled beyond danger levels, sweeping away vehicles, homes, and public infrastructure.

Local authorities have issued red alerts in multiple areas, urging people to avoid travel and stay indoors. Rescue operations are underway, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state teams working around the clock to evacuate stranded residents and tourists. Roads have been blocked due to landslides, and communication lines are down in several remote areas.

According to officials, the deaths include a woman and two children who were buried under debris after a cloudburst in Kullu. Elsewhere, flash floods swept away a vehicle, leading to two more fatalities. The Meteorological Department has warned of continued rain for the next 48 hours, raising concern for further destruction.

The state government has announced immediate compensation for the victims' families and has activated emergency relief measures. Environmental experts point to deforestation, unchecked construction, and climate change as contributing factors for the increasing frequency and intensity of such disasters in the Himalayan region.

The disaster serves as a grim wake-up call for better infrastructure planning and proactive disaster management, especially in ecologically fragile zones like

Himachal.