Dog saves 67 lives from landslide becoming a hero amid deadly monsoon in Himachal Pradesh, India
A dog turned into an unexpected hero after saving 67 people in Himachal Pradesh’s Siyathi village which was devastated by landslide on June 30, 2025. While the ongoing monsoon has claimed at least 80 lives across the region, the dog’s contribution to saving lives has brought some good news to the affected people.
Landslide in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. Credit: All India Radio News
On the night of June 30 at around 01:00 local time (LT) the entire village of Siyathi was reduced to rubble by a devastating landslide.
On that night, dog in the village managed to save 67 lives of people from 20 different families with its timely bark raising alarm amid heavy downpours. The Village is located in the Dharamapur area of Mandi district which has been ravaged by flooding and landslides since last month.
A Siyathi resident, Narendra, said the dog sleeping on the second floor of his house suddenly started barking loudly and then howling around midnight, as the rain kept pouring.
“I woke up from the barking. As I went to him, I saw a big crack in the wall of the house and water had started to enter. I ran downstairs with the dog and woke everyone up,” Narendra said.
The spell of heavy monsoon rain continues in Himachal Pradesh.
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 6, 2025
In the last 24 hrs, Aghar (Hamirpur) recorded the highest rainfall at 110 mm.
Cloudbursts in Mandi and Chamba have disrupted normal life.
IMD issues warning for heavy rain & flash floods in 10 districts over… pic.twitter.com/rqA9NaBPio
Narendra then woke up other people in the village and asked them to run to safety. The villagers were alarmed and immediately evacuated the area. Shortly after, a landslide struck the village and nearly a dozen houses were flattened. Only four-five houses are now visible in the village; the rest are under the landslide debris.
The survivors are now taking shelter in the Naina Devi temple in the Triyambala village since the incident. Meanwhile, several villagers are suffering from blood pressure and depression due to the tragedy.
Following the tragedy, the people of other villages extended help and the government is giving INR 10 000 (117 USD) as aid.
Why has there been no inquiry or action from the Himachal Government on this shocking incident of massive tree cutting? The video clearly shows wood piles being swept away in the floods — a direct result of illegal logging by the timber mafia.
— Siddharth Bakaria (@SidHimachal) July 1, 2025
pic.twitter.com/F1pgewloZm
Himachal Pradesh's is Facing Severe Water Crisis After Cloudburst, Floods. #Himachal #HimachalPradesh #himachalfloods #MonsoonSession2025 #Monsoon #Crisis #StaySafe #PrayForHimachal pic.twitter.com/FLkSFfAZqI
— pahadivibes_01 (@NVerma97131) July 8, 2025
At least 80 people have died in Himachal Pradesh since the onset of monsoon on June 20, while at least 35 more remain missing. At least 52 of 80 fatalities have been due to rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 28 deaths were reported in road accidents, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said.
Mandi district alone has reported 17 fatalities due to rain related incidents, with over 320 houses being completely destroyed in the region. Significant loss of livestock has also been occurred with at least 10 000 animal fatalities being reported so far.
PLEASE PAY SOME ATTENTION
— Tann⁷ (@Heoyunjinstan) July 4, 2025
//TW LANDSLIDES,FLOODS,CLOUDBURST
1/THREAD: Forgotten by the System — Our Story from Thunag, Himachal Pradesh pic.twitter.com/FumRJcwkHd
According to state authorities, at least 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts and 16 landslides have occurred across the state since the start of Monsoon. Over 225 roads across the state remain closed, with 153 in Mandi district alone, complicating rescue and relief efforts.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continue search operations in affected areas, while relief camps provide shelter and essentials to displaced families.
The meteorological department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall in seven districts, warning residents to remain vigilant as further cloudbursts and flash floods are expected in the coming days.
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