Himachal Pradesh: Six dead in accidents amid persistent monsoon rains, 35 roads blocked
Shimla, July 1
Persistent monsoon rains continued to batter Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, disrupting road connectivity and electricity supply across several districts while claiming six lives, according to the latest report issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre.
According to the SEOC, four people lost their lives in disaster-related incidents. Kangra district reported three fatalities caused by electrocution, lightning and falls, while one person died in Mandi district.
In addition, two people were killed in separate rain-related road accidents, one each in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts, taking the total monsoon-related death toll to six.
The SEOC said 35 roads remained blocked across the state due to landslides, debris and rain-related damage. Restoration work is underway, with teams deployed to clear affected stretches and restore normal traffic.
Kullu district has been the worst affected in terms of road connectivity, with 18 roads blocked. Solan and Chamba districts also reported significant disruptions, with 12 roads each affected by the inclement weather.
The power sector has also suffered widespread damage. A total of 127 distribution transformers (DTRs) were reported out of service across the state, with Kullu accounting for the highest number at 86. Officials attributed the outages primarily to snapped high-tension (HT) line conductors and damaged electrical cables. Electricity department teams have been pressed into service to restore power in the affected areas.
Despite the widespread disruption to transport and electricity, drinking water supply schemes across the state have remained unaffected, with no water supply disruptions reported.
The SEOC further reported that cumulative losses to public and private property, as well as livestock, have been estimated at Rs 44.40 lakh. Kangra district has recorded the highest financial loss, accounting for Rs 16 lakh.
Authorities said district administrations, disaster response agencies and utility departments remain on high alert as intermittent rainfall continues across the state. Restoration work is being carried out on a war footing to reopen roads and restore electricity in the affected areas.
— ANI
Reader Comments
God help these people 🙏 Electrocution in Kangra, landslides everywhere—it’s heartbreaking. At least the water supply is okay, which is a relief for villagers. Hope the restoration teams work fast before more lives are lost. Monsoon season is always tough for hilly states.
As someone who visited Himachal last summer, I’m sad to see this. The roads there are already narrow and dangerous in good weather, so heavy rain must be terrifying. Hope the authorities learn from this cycle of damage every year—maybe more robust drainage and landslide-proofing are needed.
Another year, another monsoon tragedy. Himachal’s beauty comes at a cost—landslides and road blockages are part of life here. But 127 transformers down is too many; power outages are a huge hassle for families. The govt should invest in underground cables in vulnerable areas. At least water supply is unaffected.
This is so tragic. Six lives lost because of rains and landslides. I hope the affected families get compensation quickly. The 44.40 lakh loss seems low given the scale of damage—maybe it’s just initial estimates. Kudos to the emergency teams working day and night in such conditions.
Heartbreaking 💔. My heart goes out to the families in Kangra and Mandi. It’s also worrying that Kullu alone has 18 blocked roads—must be tough for locals to get essentials. Monsoon forecasting has improved, but response still lags. We need more proactive evacuation in landslide-prone zones.
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