Shimla, Aug 5,
As relentless monsoon rains continue to batter Himachal Pradesh, eight more people have lost life in past 24 hours and access to Kullu and Manali has been completely severed, with both the Mandi–Aut route and the alternative Mandi–Kullu via Kamand road declared blocked by authorities due to landslides and road collapses. The disconnection of these two vital routes has effectively isolated the Kullu valley from Mandi side, hampering emergency response, stranding travellers, and disrupting essential supplies. Restoration work is underway, but persistent rain and unstable conditions are delaying progress.
Meanwhile, the monsoon death toll has climbed to 192, with eight more fatalities reported. Himachal Pradesh has now suffered a staggering Rs1,75,363.84 lakh (Rs 1,753 crore) in losses, according to the latest official assessment. Damages to public infrastructure alone account for Rs 1,700 crore of the total, underscoring the scale of destruction triggered by the continuing rain fury.
Among the latest tragedies, one person died in Chamba after a kitchen roof collapsed. In Hamirpur, another was buried under marble slabs. The Mandi road accident, which occurred late Sunday night on the Janjehli-Chhatri road, has now claimed five lives, with two more victims succumbing to their injuries. In Solan district, a wall collapse at an industrial site resulted in yet another casualty.
As per the latest road situation report NH 21 Mandi to Kullu is blocked at 9 mile ropeway Pandoh and the other access route Mandi to Kullu via Kamand is blocked at Baragal Nalla.
The situation remains precarious statewide, with landslides, shooting stones, and blocked roads continuing to pose major threats to life and mobility. Air connectivity to Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala is suspended, compelling VIPs and emergency teams to travel long detours by road.
As of Tuesday morning, 449 roads, including key National Highways NH-21, NH-305, NH-003, and NH-154, are blocked. The State Emergency Operation Centre has also reported 753 damaged electricity transformers and 276 disrupted water supply schemes. Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu remain among the worst-affected districts.
Massive damages have also been reported in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, education, and public works sectors. District administrations have been directed to expedite loss assessment as the state continues to grapple with rising financial and human costs.
Authorities have kept emergency services on high alert and are urging citizens to avoid travel in vulnerable regions as heavy rains are forecast to continue in the coming days.
About the Author
