Himachal Pradesh Weather: Over 250 people dead since onset of monsoon

Himachal Pradesh Weather: Since the monsoon began on June 20, 298 individuals have died in Himachal Pradesh, as reported by the State Disaster Management Authority on Sunday. The SDMA report indicates that 152 of these deaths were due to rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and house collapses. Meanwhile, 146 fatalities occurred in road accidents, often attributed to slippery conditions and damaged roads.

Heavy monsoon rains have left Himachal Pradesh grappling with severe infrastructure damage, with 400 roads, including two national highways (NH-03 and NH-305), blocked, 208 electricity distribution transformers disrupted, and 51 water supply schemes out of service, according to the SDMA.

Mandi district reported the highest road disruptions with 220 blocked routes, including NH-03. Kullu followed with 101 roads blocked, including NH-305, which was cut off at multiple points in Banjar and Balichowki.

Other affected districts include Chamba with 24 road blocks, Kangra with 21, Una with 12, Shimla with eight, Sirmaur with nine, Kinnaur with two, Lahaul-Spiti with one, and Bilaspur with two roads blocked.

In terms of power supply, Mandi district saw the largest impact with 134 transformers disrupted, followed by 17 in Kullu, 26 in Chamba, 23 in Kinnaur, and six in Kangra. Water supply schemes remained affected mainly in Mandi (36) and Lahaul-Spiti (2), with smaller disruptions in other areas, the report said.

Authorities have deployed multiple road-clearing teams, power restoration crews, and emergency water supply measures, but continued heavy rainfall is hampering restoration work.

The SDMA has urged people living in at-risk regions to exercise caution, refrain from non-essential travel, and keep informed about official updates as monsoon conditions continue.