The ongoing monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh has claimed 326 lives so far, including 171 deaths in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, and electrocution, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Another 155 people have died in road accidents during this period.
Between June 20 and September 1, the state has reported damages worth ₹3,158 crore to public and private property, crops, infrastructure, and livestock. The toll also includes 385 people injured, 1,304 houses fully damaged, and 41 shops and factories destroyed. In addition, 27,653 poultry birds and 1,898 other animals have perished.
Mandi district reported the highest human toll in rain-related incidents (29 deaths), followed by Kangra (30), Chamba (14), Kullu (15), and Shimla (17). Road accidents were most fatal in Chamba and Mandi (22 each), Kangra (19), Kinnaur (14), and Shimla (16).
The report shows extensive damage across key sectors, with PWD roads, water supply networks, power infrastructure, and other departments including health, education, rural and urban development suffering losses exceeding ₹140 crore.
Private property damage includes 503 partially damaged houses, 1,005 cow sheds, and 2,330 hectares of crop destruction. Horticulture losses have been estimated at ₹27.43 crore, while agriculture sustained losses worth ₹11.45 crore.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) report shows 1,277 roads, including four National Highways, currently blocked. Power infrastructure has been badly hit, with 3,207 distribution transformers disrupted, while 790 water supply schemes remain non-functional.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has already declared the calamity a “state disaster” under the Disaster Management Act. However, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has accused the government of a slow and inadequate response, particularly in Chamba and Mandi districts, where the Manimahesh Yatra was severely affected.
Meanwhile, due to continuous heavy rainfall, the Shimla district administration has ordered the closure of all schools on September 2. Teachers will conduct online classes from home to avoid disruption in studies, according to a statement by Deputy Commissioner, Shimla.
– ANI