Himachal Pradesh Reels Under Monsoon Fury: Over 400 Roads Closed, ₹1,692 Crore in Damages

Torrential rains have battered Himachal Pradesh since Friday evening, triggering widespread disruption, damage, and loss of life.

As of Saturday, over 400 roads have been shut across the state, including 174 roads in Mandi district alone, where critical highways like the Kullu-Manali route pass through. In Chamba, more than 100 roads remain inaccessible, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

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🌊 Rising Rivers and Bridge Damage

Flooding of the Beas River and its tributaries has worsened the crisis. A bridge near Sujanpur Tira in Hamirpur district suffered structural cracks due to the force of the swollen river. In Kullu, a partial breach of a cofferdam at the Malana-II Hydropower project was reported following flash floods. Shocking videos showed a dumper truck, a rock breaker, and a car swept away by the raging Malana River.

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☔ Record Rainfall and Flooded Highways

The Una district, bordering Punjab, recorded the highest rainfall at a staggering 260.8 mm, resulting in severe waterlogging in markets and roads. Educational institutions in Una have been shut until further notice, and the Chandigarh-Dharamshala National Highway also experienced flooding.

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🛑 Emergency Measures Underway

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri assured that the state government is on high alert and closely monitoring developments. District administrations have been instructed to take swift safety measures and respond proactively to emergencies.

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📉 Damage Assessment and Human Toll

Since the monsoon’s onset on June 20, the state has suffered an estimated ₹1,692 crore in losses. Key figures shared by officials include:

• 101 deaths from rain-related incidents

• 36 people missing

• 1,600 homes damaged (fully or partially)

• 51 flash floods, 28 cloudbursts, and 45 major landslides

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🧍‍♂️ Governor Visits Disaster Zones

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla visited Mandi on Saturday to meet affected families and assess the situation firsthand. He commended the resilience of Himachal’s people and reiterated the administration’s commitment to speedy relief and rehabilitation.

“The people of Himachal Pradesh have always shown remarkable courage in adversity. Relief efforts are underway with full urgency,” the Governor said.

With the monsoon season far from over, the state remains on edge, bracing for more extreme weather in the days ahead.