Himachal Pradesh Faces Cloudburst in Bilaspur and Landslide in Mandi; Over 10 Vehicles Buried, Roads Washed Away, Monsoon Likely to Withdraw by September 15
Death Toll in the State Climbs to 386 as Rainfall Surges 43% Above Normal; Ganga Water Level Crosses Danger Mark in Uttar Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh once again witnessed nature’s fury as a cloudburst struck Bilaspur’s Namhol area late Friday night, leaving a trail of destruction. More than 10 vehicles were buried under debris, while several roads were washed away, disrupting connectivity in the hilly terrain. Local reports confirmed that many houses also sustained heavy damage in the incident.
Adding to the crisis, Mandi district was hit by a massive landslide in the early hours of Saturday. The landslide occurred in the Sapdi Roh village of Dharampur at around 4 a.m. The debris engulfed several houses, forcing authorities to evacuate eight homes as a precautionary measure. Rescue teams were immediately deployed to clear the debris and provide assistance to the affected residents.
Rising Death Toll and Excess Rainfall
The relentless rainfall and floods across Himachal Pradesh have pushed the death toll this monsoon season to 386. According to data from the state authorities, the region has experienced 43% more rainfall than normal this year. Between June 1 and September 12, Himachal received 38.0 inches of rainfall compared to the seasonal average of 26.70 inches.
The heavy rainfall has triggered floods, landslides, and widespread damage across multiple districts, leaving thousands of people stranded, homes destroyed, and key roads blocked. Authorities have warned travelers and local residents to avoid unnecessary movement in vulnerable zones.
Ganga Swells Above Danger Mark in Uttar Pradesh
Meanwhile, neighboring Uttar Pradesh is also facing the wrath of monsoon floods. In Unnaav, the water level of the Ganga has risen 23 centimeters above the danger mark, submerging nearly 80 villages. More than 100 families have been displaced, with many forced to seek temporary shelter on higher ground.
In Farrukhabad, riverbank erosion along the Ganga has intensified, forcing villagers to demolish their own homes in order to salvage usable materials like bricks and iron rods. Residents described the heartbreaking scenes of dismantling their houses while moving to safer locations.
IMD Predicts Monsoon Withdrawal from September 15
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon is expected to begin its withdrawal from western Rajasthan around September 15, slightly earlier than the usual timeline of September 17. Typically, the monsoon withdraws completely from the entire country by October 15.
This year, the monsoon had advanced into Kerala on May 24, arriving eight days earlier than usual. It further covered the entire country by June 29, a full nine days ahead of the normal July 8 timeline. Such variations, experts say, are a reflection of changing climatic patterns.
National Rainfall Status
Nationwide, India has recorded 32.88 inches of rainfall so far this season, which is about 7% above the normal seasonal average of 30 inches. The northwest region of India has seen particularly intense monsoon activity, receiving 28.36 inches of rainfall—34% higher than the seasonal norm.
A recent study has highlighted that over the past 50 years, the withdrawal period of the Indian monsoon has been gradually lengthening. On average, the retreat has been delayed by about 1.6 days per decade, signaling a slow but consistent shift in India’s seasonal rainfall cycle.
