Heavy downpour in Shimla; 316 roads, National Highway shut
Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rains in Shimla on 12 August led to the closure of one national highway and 316 roads. The IMD has issued an Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain in several districts until Thursday.
HEAVY rains lashed Shimla on 12 August, prompting the administration to shut down one national highway and 316 roads across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain at numerous places in three to five districts till Thursday, PTI reported.
The ongoing monsoon season has claimed 219 lives, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of these, 112 deaths were linked to rain-related incidents, including landslides, drowning, flash floods, lightning strikes and electrocutions, while 107 deaths occurred in road accidents, ANI reported.
According to the SDMA, 315 individuals sustained injuries this season. The toll on livestock includes 876 animal deaths, with over 25,700 poultry birds among them. The structural damage consists of 262 houses completely destroyed and 240 partially damaged.
The consolidated report covering the timeframe from 20 June to 9 August reveals that persistent rainfall has led to significant destruction of government and private assets, livestock, agricultural fields, and vital infrastructure throughout the state. The overall estimated damages have surpassed ₹1,98,881 lakh.
Among all regions, Mandi district has been the most severely impacted in terms of casualties and structural destruction, recording 23 rain-related fatalities and damages valued at over ₹1,164 lakh. Kangra is close behind, reporting the highest number of such deaths at 25, while Chamba documented nine, and both Kullu and Hamirpur accounted for 10 each.
Additionally, there have been more than 1,900 instances of water supply systems being disrupted, alongside significant losses across sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, electricity, transportation, healthcare, and education infrastructure.
Officials have advised residents to remain vigilant, cautioning that the expected heavy rainfall in the coming days could further deteriorate conditions in many districts.
Mandi ‘worst-hit’ in road connectivity
District-wise reports from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reveal that Mandi is the "worst-hit" when it comes to connectivity of roads, with 214 routes obstructed, followed by Kullu with 91.
Kullu also saw the maximum number of power outages, with 50 DTRs hit, while Mandi witnessed the "largest hit" to water supply infrastructure, with 367 schemes disrupted.
A senior official from the SDMA said, “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.”
