The fury of monsoon has thrown life out of gear in Himachal, cutting off road connectivity, damaging power lines, and disrupting water supply across several districts.
NEW DELHI — The weather has wreaked havoc in the northern states and Himachal Pradesh is facing one of its worst monsoon-related disasters in recent years. Reports of floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh are steadily increasing as heavy rains, floods, and the resulting destruction have caused losses of more than ₹3,000 crore, with assessments still ongoing. At the same time, 310 people have lost their lives in disaster-related incidents during this monsoon season.
The fury of monsoon has thrown life out of gear in Himachal, cutting off road connectivity, damaging power lines, and disrupting water supply across several districts. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), as of Wednesday evening, 582 roads — including two national highways — are blocked, 1,155 electricity transformers are out of service, and 346 water supply schemes have been hit.
The cumulative death toll from the monsoon havoc since June 20 has reached 310. Of these, 158 people died in landslides, flash floods, house collapses, and other rain-related incidents, while 152 lost their lives in road accidents linked to the bad weather.
According to State Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, restoration work has been difficult due to continuous heavy rainfall, especially in Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Shimla districts. Himachal Pradesh has suffered extensive damage because of the rains, Negi told ANI.
Kullu alone reported 166 blocked roads, including stretches of NH-03 and NH-305. Power supply has been worst hit in Mandi and Kullu, where hundreds of transformers are down, leaving large areas in darkness. Drinking water supply has also collapsed in several places, with Kullu and Mandi districts the worst affected.
Negi said that in his department, all sub-divisional officers, SDRF teams, and other agencies are diligently carrying out their duties. At present, three major national highways remain blocked — NH-305 (Manali-Leh route), NH-5, and NH-3.
Manali Sub-Divisional Magistrate Raman Sharma confirmed that one side of Manali’s connectivity has been cut off. Since Monday, four shops, two restaurants, and one house have been damaged. In Bilaspur district, a house collapsed after heavy rain in Manjhed village.
The SDMA estimates that since June 20, rain-related incidents have left at least 38 people missing and caused damage worth over ₹3,000 crore.
Damaged houses at a flood-affected area, in Mandi district. — PTI
The SDMA has also warned that the monsoon situation is still active, keeping the risk of landslides and floods high. The SDMA has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert to official advisories. The weather is expected to remain the same in the coming days, media reports say.
National disaster
Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Thursday moved a resolution declaring the havoc wreaked by incessant monsoons in various parts of Himachal Pradesh as a national disaster.
According to reports, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, moving the resolution under Rule 102, said there was no doubt that the entire state had suffered massive devastation. “
Speaker Kuldeep Pathnia said the resolution moved by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister was important, urgent and in the state interest so it would be debated upon by both treasury and opposition members.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur reportedly said the Opposition would support the resolution as the entire state had been severely affected and we all are equally concerned that timely help should reach the affected people and restoration work should be quick and effective. — With inputs from media
Cover photo: People walk on a bridge to cross the overflowing Beas river following heavy rain in Kullu district. — Reuters
