Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), August 16 (ANI): Heavy rains have continued to wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh, disrupting 374 roads, 524 power distribution transformers (DTRs), and 145 water supply schemes as of Saturday morning, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).
The authority reported that two national highways—NH-305 and NH-05—are among the blocked routes, with landslides and flash floods cutting off connectivity in districts including Mandi, Kullu, and Kinnaur. Restoration work is underway, but continuous rainfall and recurring landslides are slowing progress.
The cumulative toll this monsoon has risen to 257 deaths since June 20. Of these, 133 people have died in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, while 124 deaths were recorded in road accidents, the HPSDMA said.
Mandi district has suffered the worst damage, with 203 roads blocked and 458 transformers out of service. In Kullu, 79 roads remain closed, including NH-305 at Jhed (Khanag), which was hit by a major landslide. Water supply schemes were severely affected in Chamba (24), Kangra (41), and Mandi (44).
In Kinnaur, six roads, including NH-05, were blocked after heavy downpours, while Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti reported widespread power outages due to flash floods and HT line faults. Authorities cautioned that intermittent rainfall in the coming days could worsen the situation and urged people to avoid travel through vulnerable stretches.
Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has recorded 133 deaths in rain-triggered disasters and 124 in road accidents, the HPSDMA said. Landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, house collapses, drowning incidents, and electrocution have caused widespread destruction. Mandi reported the highest number of rain-related deaths (26), followed by Kangra (28), Chamba (10), and Kullu (11). Fatalities were also reported from Bilaspur, Kinnaur, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Lahaul-Spiti, Hamirpur, and Una.
Road accidents remain another major cause of fatalities, with Kangra (12), Kinnaur (12), Mandi (21), Shimla (15), and Chamba (20) among the worst-affected districts. Officials attributed many of these accidents to slippery roads, poor visibility, and vehicles skidding off rain-soaked mountain stretches.
The cumulative damage to property has been estimated at over ₹2,14,403 lakh, with public infrastructure—including roads, power lines, and water supply systems—severely impacted. Thousands of houses have been fully or partially damaged, while crops worth over ₹1,39,46 lakh have been destroyed.
Authorities have urged residents and travelers to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk zones, and follow weather advisories as more heavy rainfall is forecast in the coming days. (ANI)
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