Yellow Alert for Heavy Rain in Himachal Until August 11: 446 Roads Closed, 194 Lives Lost So Far
Pictures of devastation caused by monsoon in Himachal
Shimla, August 5:
The relentless monsoon continues to wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh. The Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Alert for heavy rainfall in several districts from August 6 to 11, warning of intensified weather conditions across the state. As of Tuesday evening, 446 roads, including three national highways, have been shut due to landslides and flash floods. The death toll this monsoon season has reached 194, with 1,738 homes damaged and losses estimated at ₹1,852 crore.
According to the forecast, heavy rain is expected in Una and Hamirpur on August 6, Sirmaur on August 7, Una, Chamba, Kangra, and Sirmaur on August 8, and Una, Mandi, and Solan on August 9. Rising water levels in rivers and dams have prompted authorities to release excess water from Kol Dam and Pandoh Dam. The administration has urged locals and tourists to stay away from riverbanks and streams.
Mandi Hit Hard by Rainfall
Mandi district has recorded the highest rainfall — 151 mm from Monday night to Tuesday morning — followed by Baggi (104 mm), Sundernagar (84 mm), Murari Devi (83 mm), Nadaun (78 mm), and Gohar (72 mm). Four schools in Sundernagar were closed as a precaution.
The State Emergency Operation Center reports that the Mandi-Dharampur NH-003, NH-305 (Kullu), and NH-5 (Kinnaur) remain blocked. Mandi alone has 292 road closures, with 89 in Kullu, 23 in Kangra, and 12 in Sirmaur.
Electricity and Water Supply Disrupted
The extreme weather has severely impacted power and water supply. 360 transformers are non-operational, including 286 in Mandi and 218 in the Gohar area. Kullu has 68 non-functional transformers. A total of 257 drinking water schemes have been disrupted — 120 in Kangra, 95 in Mandi, and 36 in Hamirpur.
194 Dead and Massive Infrastructure Loss
Mandi has reported the highest number of fatalities at 42, followed by Kangra (31); Shimla, Kullu, and Chamba (18 each); Solan (13); Hamirpur and Una (12 each); Kinnaur (11); Bilaspur (8); Lahaul-Spiti (6); and Sirmaur (5).
So far, 55 flash floods, 28 cloudbursts, and 48 landslides have been reported across the state. Mandi alone has witnessed 16 cloudbursts and 12 landslides, while Lahaul-Spiti recorded the highest number of flash floods at 30.
Extensive Property Damage
A total of 1,738 homes have been damaged — 463 completely destroyed. Mandi district alone accounts for 1,102 damaged homes, including 387 fully collapsed structures. Additionally, 295 shops and 1,610 cattle sheds have been affected across the state.
The state’s total estimated loss so far stands at ₹1,852 crore, with the Public Works Department suffering losses of ₹971 crore, and the Jal Shakti Department ₹633 crore. Given the ongoing rainfall, the administration remains on high alert, intensifying response efforts across affected regions.
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