On February 27, 2025, heavy precipitation hit the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
In the districts of Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert.
Throughout the state, rains led to the closure of four hundred forty-four roads, including four national highways.
Landslides and mudflows were reported in various parts of the state.
In Kullu district, torrential rains triggered flash floods that swept away numerous vehicles.
Significant snow accumulation was also recorded in many areas. In Keylong, in Lahaul and Spiti, it amounted to seven point eight seven inches.
On March 1, a massive landslide occurred in Chamba district, disrupting traffic and temporarily blocking the highway. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
A day earlier, on February 28, a large avalanche struck a construction site near the village of Mana in the state of Uttarakhand. Fifty-four people were trapped under the debris, most of them inside eight metal containers.
One of the survivors described the incident:
"I heard a loud roar, like thunder... Before I could react, everything went dark."
At an altitude of approximately ten thousand five hundred feet, rescuers conducted search operations for sixty hours in severe snowfall and freezing temperatures. Specialized Recco radars, drones, and avalanche rescue dogs were used in the search. Forty-six people were saved. Unfortunately, eight people lost their lives.
Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly destructive. What is causing these climate changes, and what steps can humanity take to save lives and minimize economic losses? The answers have already been provided in the documentary "Water From Air: The Path to Saving Humanity."