As the monsoon season of 2025 sweeps across northern and western India, the scale of devastation is staggering. From the fertile plains of Punjab to the rugged hills of Himachal Pradesh and the deserts of Rajasthan, relentless rains have left a trail of destruction, testing the resilience of millions and the capacity of authorities to respond.
Punjab, often called the breadbasket of India, finds itself submerged under the worst floods in years. According to reports compiled on September 10, 2025, all 23 districts of the state are reeling, with more than 2,000 villages inundated. Crops, homes, and livelihoods have been swallowed by the rising waters. The central government has stepped in, announcing ₹1,600 crore in aid for the embattled state—a lifeline, but one that many fear may be too little, too late for those who have lost everything.
The floodwaters have not spared the neighboring states. In Haryana, rainfall has been 46% above normal this season, with Yamunanagar recording an extraordinary 1,080.8 mm so far. Villagers in Haryana, much like their counterparts in Punjab, are grappling with damaged homes, ruined fields, and the ever-present fear of more rain. The situation in Gujarat is similarly dire: Banas Kantha and two other districts have been deluged with over 16 inches of rain in just two days, causing water levels to rise up to five feet in dozens of villages. Entire communities have been cut off, waiting anxiously for the waters to recede and for help to arrive.
Meanwhile, the usually parched state of Rajasthan has witnessed an astonishing transformation. Once synonymous with drought, Rajasthan has received 701.6 mm of rainfall from June 1 to September 9, 2025, as reported by the Jaipur Meteorological Centre. This is well above average and, according to the Meteorological Department, a direct consequence of climate change over the past two decades. Dausa district, in particular, experienced a moment of rare joy when a river that had lain dry for nearly 25 years began flowing again. Villagers gathered by the banks, celebrating the spectacle with music and dance—a brief respite from the hardship that has otherwise marked this monsoon.
But even as some regions rejoice, others remain on high alert. Along the Sutlej river in Ludhiana, several villages face an ongoing flood threat, with more than 350 acres of farmland already lost to the waters. Villagers have voiced frustration at what they see as administrative failure to repair embankments and curb illegal sand mining—factors that have exacerbated the disaster. In response, local authorities have deployed drones to monitor water levels and soil erosion, but for many, the damage is already done.
Himachal Pradesh, perched in the Himalayas, has borne the brunt of the monsoon’s fury. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) reports that the 2025 monsoon season has claimed 380 lives. Of these, 215 deaths resulted from rain-related disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts; an additional 165 people lost their lives in road accidents triggered by the adverse weather. The estimated damage to public property stands at a staggering ₹4,306.76 crore, with roads, bridges, power lines, and water supply schemes washed away or rendered useless. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or made uninhabitable, forcing families to seek shelter elsewhere.
“The relentless monsoon in Himachal Pradesh has claimed 380 lives so far this season and caused unprecedented damage to infrastructure and livelihoods,” stated the Department of Revenue - DM Cell, SEOC, as cited by Zee News. The destruction has not been limited to public infrastructure; private property losses are also significant, with entire communities displaced and dependent on relief supplies. Connectivity remains disrupted in several regions, hampering the efforts of rescue and restoration teams.
The numbers are grim: 137 landslides, 97 flash floods, and 45 cloudburst incidents have been documented in Himachal Pradesh alone this season. The Mandi district recorded the highest rainfall at 1,710.9 mm, and has suffered the most damage. The damage to homes is particularly acute—1,237 homes have been completely destroyed, while 5,317 have suffered partial damage. Authorities warn that continued rainfall could trigger further landslides and flooding, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant.
Relief and restoration work is ongoing, with the state government coordinating efforts alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit Mandi and Kullu districts on September 10, 2025, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated response.
Elsewhere, the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, a vital artery for the Kashmir Valley, was finally reopened for traffic on September 10 after being closed for 16 days due to continuous landslides. The closure had choked the supply of fruits and essential goods to the region, causing hardship for both traders and residents. The worst-hit areas were Udhampur and Ramban districts, where landslides repeatedly blocked the road. The reopening of the highway has brought a measure of relief, but the memory of the disruption lingers.
In Ladakh, tragedy struck when three soldiers were martyred in a snow avalanche at the Siachen Base Camp, a stark reminder that the dangers of extreme weather are not limited to civilians alone.
The southern region has not been spared either. In the Bastar division, heavy rains in Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma, and Bastar districts have caused flooding and the collapse of over 200 houses. A total of 2,196 people have been shifted to relief camps set up in schools, indoor stadiums, and ashrams. In Barsur, a bridge on State Highway 5 was damaged, further complicating rescue efforts. The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Mandla, Dindori, Anuppur, and Balaghat, with 2.5 to 4.5 inches of rain expected in the next 24 hours.
Looking ahead, there is some hope that the worst may soon be over, at least in parts of Rajasthan. The Meteorological Department forecasts that rainfall will reduce in most areas from September 11, with only scattered light showers expected. Western Rajasthan, in particular, is expected to see a sharp decline in rainfall activity, and the weather is predicted to remain mostly dry in the coming week.
But for many, recovery will be a long and difficult road. The monsoon of 2025 has exposed vulnerabilities in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and governance. It has also highlighted the growing unpredictability of weather patterns—an unsettling sign of climate change’s deepening impact on the subcontinent. As communities begin the arduous process of rebuilding, the scars left by this season’s rains will not soon be forgotten.
