Heavy rains, floods and landslides in Himachal PradeshCEFR A2
4 Jan 2026
Adapted from GV South Asia, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Hrishikesh Sarode, Unsplash
Over-construction in the Himalayas has made floods, cloudbursts and landslides more common. Heavy rains this year caused severe flooding in parts of Himachal Pradesh. The Mandi district was especially badly affected in June, and many residents are trying to rebuild their lives.
Balaram Singh, 72, lived in Thunag north of Shimla. His village was flooded by the Beas river and he lost his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. Kamala Devi had a house that was washed away, was rebuilt, and was badly damaged again this year. Her son, a taxi driver, lost his car and his income.
Rescuers used drones and sniffer dogs and worked until July. Health workers report rising anxiety and sleep problems. The army and government announced help, and a 2024 action plan on climate change and mental health was launched.
Difficult words
- over-construction — Too much building in one area.
- cloudburst — A sudden very heavy rain in mountains.cloudbursts
- landslide — When earth and rocks fall down a slope.landslides
- rebuild — To build something again after damage.
- sniffer dog — A dog trained to find people or things.sniffer dogs
- anxiety — Strong worry that affects how people feel.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How did the floods affect people's homes and jobs in the article?
- What kind of help did the army and government announce?
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