Himachal Pradesh climate: A complete of 360 roads, together with the Aut-Sainj highway, a part of NH-305, have been closed for vehicular site visitors. Of those, 214 have been blocked in Mandi district and 92 within the adjoining Kullu district on Sunday, in line with the State Emergency Operation Centre.
Himachal Pradesh is bracing for extra intense rainfall because the India Meteorological Division (IMD) points an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain in remoted areas from August 11 (Monday) by means of August 11 14 (Thursday). The state is already grappling with widespread injury, highway blockages, and a rising dying toll this monsoon season.
Orange alert for heavy rain
In line with the IMD, components of Himachal Pradesh proceed to expertise gentle to reasonable rainfall, with heavy showers lashing districts like Kangra (68.4 mm), Murari Devi (52.6 mm), and Palampur (52 mm) since Saturday evening. Different affected areas embrace Sarahan, Dharamshala, Kufri, and Bilaspur. The orange warning, in place until August 14 (Thursday), indicators the opportunity of landslides, highway and rail disruptions, energy outages, and waterlogging in low‑mendacity areas. Residents have been urged to stay vigilant and keep away from pointless journey.
Highway, energy, and water provide disruptions
As per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 360 roads stay blocked, together with the Aut–Sainj highway on Nationwide Freeway‑305. The worst-hit areas are Mandi district with 212 highway closures and Kullu with 92. Infrastructure injury consists of 132 broken energy transformers and 520 disrupted water provide schemes, severely affecting residents. Kullu alone accounts for 367 failed water schemes, adopted by Mandi (78) and Kangra (72).
Monsoon toll and losses
The State Catastrophe Administration Authority (SDMA) studies 224 fatalities for the reason that onset of the monsoon on June 20.
- Rain-related incidents- landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning- have claimed 116 lives.
- Highway accidents have prompted 108 deaths.
District-wise, Mandi and Kangra have every reported over 20 rain-related deaths, whereas Mandi additionally leads in highway accident fatalities (21). Financial losses are pegged at Rs 1,98,923.75 lakh, spanning injury to 896 homes, 36 retailers/factories, 619 km of PWD roads, 926 km of Jal Shakti water schemes, and over 2,045 hectares of crops.
Disasters this monsoon season
Since June 20, the state has recorded:
- 58 flash floods
- 30 cloudbursts
- 54 main landslides
Cumulative rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has been 507.3 mm, about 11 per cent above regular for the interval from June 1 to August 10.
Authorities urge warning
Rescue, aid, and restoration work is ongoing throughout affected districts. Authorities have appealed to the general public to strictly observe rainfall advisories, keep away from landslide-prone roads, and chorus from pointless journey till climate circumstances enhance.