Torrential monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across northern India, with Himachal Pradesh emerging as the worst-hit state.

The death toll in the region has climbed to 125, according to the State Emergency Operations Center, as rain-triggered disasters cripple infrastructure, sever transport links, and pose severe risks to communities.

Since the onset of the monsoon in June, the hill state has seen a relentless onslaught of landslides, flash floods, road accidents, and cloudbursts. Of the total fatalities, 55 deaths have been linked to road accidents, while 215 people have been reported injured. Additionally, 34 individuals remain missing, and rescue efforts have been hampered by continuous downpours.

Fresh spells of rain battered Himachal Pradesh on Monday, leading to the closure of several key highways and mountain roads. Emergency response teams have struggled to access remote areas, as landslides and swollen rivers have blocked routes and destroyed critical infrastructure, including bridges, homes, and power lines.

The devastation is not limited to Himachal Pradesh. In neighboring Uttar Pradesh, authorities confirmed 18 rain-related deaths, while Rajasthan is experiencing flood-like conditions in several districts. In the country’s northeastern states, persistent heavy rains have disrupted daily life, triggering waterlogging, crop damage, and displacement of families.

India’s monsoon season, which stretches from June to September, is crucial for agriculture but is also synonymous with deadly natural disasters in many regions. This year, the seasonal rains have once again underscored the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events — a phenomenon experts say is being worsened by climate change and unregulated urban development.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh warnings for continued heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh and adjoining regions in the coming days. Authorities have urged residents to avoid travel to high-risk areas, stay alert for flash flood warnings, and adhere strictly to safety advisories issued by local disaster management officials.

With several rivers already flowing near danger levels and ground stability compromised in hill zones, officials fear that the situation could deteriorate further if the rains persist. Relief operations are ongoing, but the scale of destruction has overwhelmed local capacities.

As communities across northern India grapple with the effects of one of the deadliest monsoon spells in recent years, there is growing pressure on both state and central governments to invest in long-term climate resilience and disaster preparedness infrastructure. (ILKHA)