Himachal Reels Under Cloudburst Fury: Villages Cut Off, Crops Wiped Out
A sudden and devastating cloudburst unleashed its fury on Dhanpal Kanda village in Himachal Pradesh on July 31, 2025, triggering a flash flood of unprecedented scale. The deluge wreaked havoc, destroying vital infrastructure and agricultural lands.
Four bridges connecting Dhanpal Kanda to the neighbouring Koot village were completely washed away, effectively isolating the community. Vast swathes of apple orchards, the region’s economic backbone, were decimated. Standing crops were also lost to the raging waters.
Adding to the calamity, landslides triggered by the torrential rain blocked the main road leading to the affected areas. Power lines were also damaged, plunging the villages into darkness.
While thankfully, no loss of life has been reported, the extent of the damage is significant. Authorities are currently assessing the full impact of the disaster and are preparing to launch relief and rehabilitation efforts. The incident highlights the vulnerability of hill communities to extreme weather events.
The incident underscores the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness measures in Himachal Pradesh, particularly given the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events. The long-term economic impact on the affected apple growers needs immediate attention from the state government.
