Punjab Newsline, Shimla –
Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under monsoon fury with 197 roads, 75 power distribution transformers (DTRs), and 97 water supply schemes disrupted as of Sunday evening, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
The cumulative monsoon death toll has reached 161, including 88 rain-related deaths due to landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, while 73 fatalities have occurred in road accidents triggered by slippery conditions and falling debris.
The Mandi district remains the worst-hit with 130 roads blocked, followed by 45 in Kullu and 12 in Kangra. National Highways 70 and 305 are also closed due to landslides at several locations. In Kullu, the Luhri-Nither stretch on NH-305 is blocked at Kekhsu, while NH-70 in Mandi Kotali is shut due to heavy landslides.
Power supply continues to be severely affected with 59 transformers down in Kangra, 47 in Kullu, and 24 in Mandi, while water supply schemes in several districts, particularly Kullu and Mandi, have been disrupted due to damage to pipelines and intake structures.
Authorities have issued alerts for vulnerable regions, and restoration work is underway, though persistent rainfall and recurring landslides are hampering clearance operations.
161 Dead — 88 from Rain-Related Incidents, 73 in Road Accidents
The monsoon season has wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, claiming 161 lives so far. Of these, 88 deaths were caused by rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 73 people have lost their lives in road accidents caused by slippery roads and debris.
Since June 20, the state has witnessed 42 flash floods, 25 cloudbursts, and 32 landslides, resulting in widespread damage to roads, houses, and infrastructure. Mandi district has reported the highest rain-related casualties with 18 deaths, followed by Kangra (17 deaths), Kullu (10 deaths), and Chamba (8 deaths).
The SDMA report also highlights massive losses to public and private property, with total damages crossing 1,50,685 lakh. Over 251 houses have been fully damaged, while 1,165 houses suffered partial damage due to rains and floods. Agricultural and horticultural crops have also taken a significant hit.
Authorities have stepped up road clearance operations, deployed disaster response teams, and issued warnings in vulnerable areas, but intermittent heavy rains continue to hamper relief efforts.