Himachal Pradesh Rains Cause Widespread Damage, Road Closures and Disruptions

National News: Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh since Sunday night has caused significant damage across several districts. According to the State Emergency Operations Center, a total of 468 roads, including three national highways, are currently blocked. The highest number of road closures is reported in Mandi district (310), followed by Sirmaur (52), Chamba (39), and Kullu (33). Two national highways in Mandi and one in Kullu are among those affected.

Power and Water Supply Hit Hard

Power supply has been badly disrupted as 390 transformers in Mandi, 259 in Solan, 214 in Chamba, 169 in Sirmaur, and 111 in Kullu are non-functional. In Kangra district, 151 drinking water schemes have been affected.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi confirmed that 676 drinking water projects have been impacted statewide due to the disaster. The estimated loss to the state government has crossed ₹1,200 crore.

Bus Services Disrupted on 782 Routes

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has also suffered massive losses due to landslides and road blockages. Bus services were suspended on 782 routes across the state on Monday. Buses are stranded at various locations, and 279 routes were not serviced due to road closures caused by rain.

The Shimla division was the worst affected, with 393 routes hit. As a result of suspended services, the daily revenue of HRTC has dropped sharply. On normal days, HRTC earns between ₹2.80 crore and ₹2.90 crore daily, but the ongoing rainfall has reduced it to just ₹1.50 crore.

132 Deaths, Over 1,200 Properties Damaged

So far, 132 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents during this monsoon season, while 34 people are still missing. Mandi and Kangra districts have each reported 21 deaths.

The rain has destroyed 393 houses, 276 shops, and 1,007 cattle sheds. The total estimated property damage is around ₹1,235 crore, with Mandi district suffering the most destruction.

The situation in Himachal Pradesh remains critical, with multiple sectors—including transport, power, and water supply—facing severe disruptions. The state government continues its efforts to restore essential services and assess the full scale of the damage.