70 dead, 204 roads blocked: Himachal reels under monsoon fury; damage tops Rs 910 cr

Himachal Pradesh is grappling with severe monsoon rains that have killed 70 people, blocked 204 roads, and caused over Rs 910 crore in damage to public property in the past 43 days, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre's latest assessment from June 30 to August 11. The assessment records 70 disaster deaths, with landslides claiming 14 lives and 23 fatalities from falls from steep slopes, rocks, or trees. Seven deaths were attributed to snake bites, six to electrocution, and four to cloudbursts.

Lahaul and Spiti reported the highest number of direct disaster-related deaths at 14, followed by Kangra with 12. Road accidents accounted for 93 fatalities during the same period, with Chamba reporting 16 deaths, Kullu 13, Sirmaur 12, and Shimla 11.

Cumulative damage to public property has reached around Rs 910.35 crore, with the Public Works Department suffering the greatest losses at Rs 686.36 crore. Power and water infrastructure have also been severely impacted, with 45 transformer regions out of service and 82 drinking water supply schemes disrupted, primarily in Sirmaur, Hamirpur, and Mandi.

The road closures have disrupted inter-district connectivity and hampered the movement of essential supplies and emergency response teams. Authorities continue restoration efforts, including clearing landslides, reopening roads, and restoring power and water supply, though persistent rainfall and the risk of further landslides persist as challenges to relief and restoration operations.