Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Sep 9: Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and extensive destruction caused by this year’s unusually heavy monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh.
In a letter to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, the Tibetan spiritual leader conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and solidarity with all those affected. “I would like to offer my prayers and condolences to you, to the families who have lost loved ones, and to everyone affected by this natural disaster,” he wrote.
The Dalai Lama also announced that the Dalai Lama Trust would contribute to the state’s relief and rehabilitation efforts. He acknowledged the ongoing recovery initiatives and reiterated his close bond with the people of Himachal.
“As you know, Dharamshala has been my home for more than 65 years. I often refer to the state’s Chief Minister as ‘our Chief Minister’. I deeply appreciate the friendship and hospitality that people from all spheres of society in Himachal Pradesh have shown me and my fellow Tibetans all these years,” he noted.
The 2025 monsoon season has been among the most destructive in recent memory. In Himachal Pradesh alone, at least 370 people have lost their lives, with many still missing, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). The disaster has also resulted in the loss of 1,480 livestock and over 26,955 poultry birds. Economic damages are estimated at ₹4,180 crore in public infrastructure, while more than 744 roads remain blocked and nearly 960 power transformers are down—crippling districts such as Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla. Relief operations are underway as central teams continue to assess damages to schools, health centres, farmland, and roads.
The devastation extends beyond Himachal. Punjab endured its worst floods in nearly four decades, submerging 1,400 villages and damaging 2.5 lakh acres of farmland. In Karnataka, crops worth ₹550 crore across 5.2 lakh hectares were lost, with 111 fatalities reported.
Uttarakhand witnessed deadly flash floods in Dharali, while a cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, killed 67 and left hundreds missing. In Maharashtra, Mumbai was paralysed by torrential rains of over 800 mm in mid-August, which killed 21.
Across India, the monsoon has claimed hundreds of lives, displaced millions, and left a trail of destruction to agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
