Himachal Monsoon toll rises to 263; 3 NHs, 397 roads closed
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, Aug 18,
The relentless monsoon in Himachal Pradesh has pushed the death toll to 263, with two fresh fatalities reported on Sunday in road accidents in Chamba and Kangra districts, while National Highways are closed according to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC).
The state remains on edge as torrential rains trigger landslides, flash floods, and widespread infrastructure collapse. Nearly 397 roads, including three major National Highways (NH-03, NH-05, and NH-305), are blocked, leaving several regions cut off.
One of the worst-hit stretches is the Shimla–Mandi National Highway, where the swelling Satluj river has washed away a large portion of the road between RD 51/000 and 52/000. At RD 51/555, the width has shrunk to just 1.5 metres, forcing authorities to declare the stretch unsafe and suspend all vehicular movement. The Thali Bridge alternative route too has suffered damage, leaving the Sunni Division of HPPWD without any functional detour.
The monsoon fury has also disrupted essential services. 883 power transformers and 122 water supply schemes are out of order, worsening the crisis in both urban and rural belts.
District administrations in Anni subdivision (Kullu) and Mandi Sadar subdivision have announced the closure of all schools and colleges, citing risks from continuous landslides and heavy downpour.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), extremely heavy rainfall was recorded at several locations, with Dhaulakuan receiving 113 mm, followed by Jot (70.8 mm) and Palampur (58.7 mm). Winds as strong as 44 km/h were reported in high-altitude areas. The IMD has warned of more heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning in the coming days.
Beyond loss of lives, the rains have devastated livelihoods. Officials estimate that over 2.17 lakh hectares of crops have been damaged, while the combined losses to roads, houses, electricity, and water supply infrastructure run into thousands of crores.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly along fragile mountain highways and near riverbanks vulnerable to flash floods.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
