Himachal Weather: Monsoon rains have caused severe damage in Himachal Pradesh, with heavy downpours over the past few days triggering numerous cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. As of Sunday morning, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reported that 359 roads, including one national highway, are blocked, 145 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) are out of service, and 520 water supply schemes have been disrupted.
ALSO READ: Himachal Pradesh Weather Update: IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alert For Shimla, Mandi, Other Districts Till August 12; Check Forecast
The cumulative monsoon death toll in the state has reached 219 since the onset of rains, with 112 fatalities in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, and 107 in road accidents, according to the SDMA. District-wise data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) indicates Mandi is the worst-hit in terms of road connectivity, with 214 routes blocked, followed by Kullu with 91. A landslide at Jhed (Khanag) has blocked National Highway-305, and light motor vehicles are being diverted via Kandugad.
Kullu has reported the highest number of power outages, with 50 DTRs disrupted, while Mandi suffered the largest impact on water supply infrastructure, with 367 schemes affected. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert as fresh spells of heavy rainfall are expected in several districts over the next 48 hours.
“The scale of damage this monsoon has been unprecedented. Restoration work is being carried out round the clock, but people are advised to remain vigilant, especially in landslide-prone and riverbank areas,” a senior official from the State Disaster Management Authority earlier said.
IMD Issued Alert For More Rain
The Meteorological Department in Shimla has issued a yellow alert for Sunday, warning of heavy rain along with possible thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas. A more severe orange alert has been issued for Monday through Wednesday, with forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall in two to four districts.