At least 300 dead in Himachal Pradesh as monsoons continue to wreak havoc

The death toll since June has reached 303, with 155 rain-related fatalities. Authorities urge residents to stay alert amid ongoing rain forecasts.

Heavy monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh have caused large-scale damage to infrastructure and disrupted essential services across the State, according to the State Disaster Management Authority.

The SDMA has urged residents, especially in vulnerable hilly areas, to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel, as intermittent rain is forecast to continue in several districts. (PTI file photo)

Himachal Pradesh SDMA stated that 625 roads, including three national highways (NH-03, NH-154, NH-305), remain blocked. Power supply has been hit with 1,533 electricity distribution transformers out of service, while 168 water supply schemes stand disrupted as of Monday morning.

The cumulative monsoon death toll in the state since June 20 has climbed to 303, the SDMA said. Of these, 155 deaths were rain-related, caused by landslides, flash floods, and other weather-triggered incidents, while 148 fatalities occurred in road accidents during the rainy season.

The worst-hit districts in terms of road closures include Mandi (319 roads), Kullu (101), and Chamba (82). National highways NH-03 and NH-154 were reported closed in Mandi, while NH-305 remained blocked in Kullu.

Power outages have been most severe in the Solan district, which reported 446 transformer disruptions, followed by Chamba (409) and Kullu (160). Water supply disruptions were also significant in Chamba and Mandi (36 schemes each) and Shimla (32 schemes).

The SDMA has urged residents, especially in vulnerable hilly areas, to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel, as intermittent rain is forecast to continue in several districts.