The recurring Cloud bursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand have turned scenic monsoon vacations into disaster-prone nightmares for tourists and locals alike.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand—two Indian states nestled in the mighty Himalayas—have long been cherished for their scenic beauty, spiritual getaways, and adventure tourism. Destinations like Manali, Shimla, Dharamshala, Kufri, Mussoorie, Auli, Kasol, Kalpa, Spiti, Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Rishikesh attract lakhs of tourists every year. But in recent years, especially in 2025, the tourist charm during the monsoon season has taken a drastic hit.
From cloudbursts in Uttarkashi to landslides in Kinnaur, the monsoon has unleashed devastation across these states. With increasing frequency of flash floods, road blockages, and yatra suspensions, the monsoon season is now fraught with life-threatening risks in the Himalayan hill Destinations.
Related: Top 12 safe monsoon destinations in India
Table of Contents
Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand: August 2025 Disaster Report
In early August 2025, severe flash floods in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand destroyed infrastructure, stranded pilgrims, and cut off major highways due to landslides.
Uttarakhand: Cloudbursts in Dharali ⚠️
On 5 August 2025, a devastating cloudburst hit Dharali village in the Uttarkashi district. Triggered around 1:50 PM, the flash floods buried homes, uprooted trees, swept away cars, and left at least five people dead. Shocking visuals revealed entire buildings collapsing like a pack of cards.
The flash floods also impacted nearby villages like Sukki, cutting off road access due to landslides and bridge collapses. Even as 11 army troops remain missing (an NDRF officer said); rescue operations were delayed due to difficult terrain.
Key Highlights:
- Five confirmed deaths
- 150+ people rescued
- 11 Army personnel missing
- Roads to Bartwari, Linchigad, and Gangrani were washed away
- A local helipad buried in mud
- Sukki village also severely affected
IMD Red Alert: A red alert was issued across Uttarkashi as heavy rains continued to lash the region. The state government launched large-scale relief and rescue operations. However, terrain challenges and poor connectivity hampered efforts for hours.
Himachal Pradesh: Floods and Yatra Suspended 🌧️
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh faced a similar fate. A cloudburst and heavy rains caused landslides near the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra route, stranding over 1,100 pilgrims. Makeshift bridges were washed away, and treacherous terrain made trekking paths nearly impassable.
Highlights:
- 1,196 stranded pilgrims rescued from Tangling and Kangarang
- Pilgrimage suspended until further notice
- Makeshift bridges washed away, trekking paths damaged
- 413 pilgrims rescued by ITBP using rope traverse
- One death and dozens of injuries
Massive rescue operations by the ITBP and NDRF teams managed to evacuate stranded devotees using rope-based traverse crossing techniques. Tragically, one pilgrim died, and many others suffered injuries.
Additionally, major highways including NH 21 (Chandigarh-Manali) and NH 05 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) were shut down, isolating towns like Rampur, Kullu, and Mandi.
Related News: Sikkim monsoon disaster
Why Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand Are Increasing Every Year
Extreme weather in the Himalayas is no longer rare—it’s the new norm. Scientists warn that global warming, delayed western disturbances, and unscientific development are behind the rise in cloudbursts and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand.
1. Climate Change and Global Warming 🌍
According to Dr. Suresh Kumar Atri, senior climate scientist in Himachal’s Environment Directorate, global warming is intensifying high-density rainfall events across Himachal and Uttarakhand. The Arabian Sea’s warming, combined with delayed western disturbances, results in intense cloudbursts and localized storms. [HT]
According to Dr. Suresh Kumar Atri, a senior climate scientist in Himachal’s Environment Directorate, global warming has increased the frequency of high-intensity, short-duration rainfall events—often mistaken for cloudbursts.
“Flash floods and high-intensity rain are not isolated events anymore. They are becoming frequent across the Himalayan region,” says Dr. Atri; “A cloudburst doesn’t mean a cloud explodes—it’s when 100 mm of rain falls in an hour over a small area, overwhelming drainage systems,” he added.
2. Unplanned Construction and Poor Urban Planning 🏗️
In the entire Himalayan tourism region, especially in districts like Mandi, development has taken place on riverbeds and natural drainage channels. Roads were widened unscientifically, and buildings were constructed dangerously close to seasonal water flows. [HT]
- Buildings were constructed within 150 metres of the riverbeds
- Natural streams (nullahs) were blocked or diverted (Naturally/Due to lack of alert)
- Road-widening projects dumped construction debris into valleys, choking natural drainage
- Forest cover is rapidly shrinking; fallen logs and tree debris get washed into rivers during the monsoon, clogging them further
In Mandi alone, over ₹9,000 crore in damage was recorded between 2022–2025 due to ecological mismanagement.
Such flawed development has led to ecological degradation, making even moderate rainfall disastrous.
3. Glacial Melting and Lake Outbursts
The Kheer Ganga river, which triggered the Dharali flood, originates in a glaciated valley. Satellite analysis by the National Remote Sensing Centre indicates that the glacier has significantly melted, forming a temporary lake. A potential lake burst, aggravated by incessant rain, may have caused the downstream mudflow and flood.
“Large glacio-fluvial debris was already present. With continuous rain, the debris gave way, causing destruction in Dharali,” said NDMA advisor Safi Ahsan Rizvi.
According to NDMA, although Dharali is not among the 195 at-risk glacial lakes, localised glacio-fluvial debris and incessant rainfall led to sudden collapse and downstream flooding.
Related news: Kedarnath Helicopter Crash
Devastating Consequences for Tourism & Locals
1. Empty Hotels, Shuttered Shops 🏨
Monsoon used to bring tourists seeking lush green views and off-season deals. But today, places like Shimla, Kufri, and Manali are reporting zero footfall, with deserted hotels and homestays.
“This feels worse than the Covid lockdown,” says Surjeet Singh, a shopkeeper in Kufri, struggling to pay his ₹25,000 monthly rent.
2. Livelihood Crisis for Local Businesses 🚖
Tour guides, porters, taxi drivers, and fruit vendors—most of whom depend on tourism—are staring at financial ruin.
Rajiv Kumar, a taxi driver in Shimla, says: “Forget profits—we’re not even earning enough for a day’s meals.”
The economic ripple effect extends to farmers and orchard owners, as demand for vegetables and fruits has sharply declined.
3. Tourist Perspective
Payal and Muskan, two tourists from Lucknow, shared:
“There’s no danger here, but we’re stuck indoors. We came for nature, but we’re just watching rain from our window.”
Related Article: 7 best places to visit in Asia in August
Disturbing Statistics You Should Know
- 617 roads blocked in Himachal Pradesh (as of August 6), including major highways.
- 194 deaths reported in Himachal since June 20, 2025.
- ₹1,852 crore worth of damage already recorded this monsoon.
- 823 people died in the last three years in Himachal alone due to extreme rainfall events.
Places Most Affected by Monsoon Disasters
Here are some popular tourist destinations in Himachal and Uttarakhand that are not advisable to visit during monsoon:
Himachal Pradesh
- Manali & Kullu – Prone to highway blockages and flash floods.
- Shimla & Kufri – Urban floods and landslides.
- Mandi – Epicenter of cloudbursts and extreme rain.
- Kinnaur – Yatra suspended due to washed-out routes.
Uttarakhand
- Uttarkashi (Dharali, Sukki) – Flash floods and landslides.
- Kedarnath & Badrinath – Risk of route closure due to rain.
- Mussoorie & Rishikesh – Prone to landslides and river surges.
Why You Should Avoid Himalayan Travel During Monsoon
- High Risk to Life – Landslides, floods, and sudden road collapse can trap or kill.
- Poor Connectivity – Even a short trip can be cut off for days due to landslides.
- Unreliable Weather – The forecast changes quickly in hilly terrain.
- Emergency Services Stretched – Rescue operations are tough and delayed in remote areas.
- Financial Risk – Travel insurance rarely covers natural disaster cancellation.
Related Article: Ranchi – A refreshing destination to visit in Monsoon
Better Alternative: Visit Ladakh
If you’re set on visiting the mountains during monsoon, choose Ladakh instead. Shielded from the monsoon system, Ladakh enjoys dry weather from June to September, making it ideal for trekking, road trips, and culture exploration.
Also read: 6 Best Places to visit in Ladakh (with itinerary)
Final Remarks: Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand Demand Urgent Travel Rethink
As flash floods in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand become the new monsoon reality, it’s time for travellers to plan more responsibly and authorities to act scientifically.
The Himalayas are under strain—not just from the monsoon, but from climate change and overdevelopment. While these states remain breathtakingly beautiful, it’s clear they are no longer monsoon-safe.
Travellers must adapt. Choose the right season, support sustainable tourism, and demand science-based development from authorities. The lives, livelihoods, and landscapes of the Himalayas depend on it.
Related sources: HT, NDTV, ZNews, India TV, Indian EXP
Dr. Suvankar Das is a scientific advisor by profession, associated with a CRO organization. He pursued his doctoral degree in Chemistry in 2015. Later, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher & scientist in a couple of institutes/companies.
Besides his scientific journey, Dr. Das is also a passionate traveler and travel blogger. He loves to share all his travel experiences with other travelers so that everyone can enjoy hassle-free holidays with their own tour plans.
He believes, the most beautiful thing in this world is the WORLD itself. so there is no way to live like a clock; rather live it like a compass!
