Shimla, July 5: Relentless rains, landslides, and flash floods have left 72 people dead with and 37 still missing in Himachal Pradesh, according to the latest figures from the State Emergency Operation Centre. Another 113 persons have been injured, while 27 deaths have occurred in road accidents since the beginning of the monsoon season.
The maximum fatalities were reported from Mandi district (20), followed by Kangra (13), Chamba (9), Shimla (5), and Una (5).
Other districts affected include Kullu, Kinnaur, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmaur, where casualties were attributed to landslides, flash floods, electrocution, drowning, and gas explosions.
The cumulative economic loss to both public and private infrastructure has surged past ₹541 crore, with destruction of 288 houses, 507 cowsheds, 69 shops, and loss of 251 cattle and 10,000 poultry birds.
The state’s infrastructure continues to suffer. As of Saturday morning, 261 roads remain blocked, with Mandi alone accounting for 176 road closures. Landslides and slope failures triggered by incessant rain have cut off access to several villages.
Additionally, 300 Distribution Transformers (DTRs) are non-functional, and 281 drinking water supply schemes have been disrupted across the state. The worst-hit utility zones include Sundernagar and Dharampur subdivisions of Mandi, where 278 water schemes remain affected.
With more heavy to very heavy rainfall predicted from July 5 to 8, the administration has placed emergency services on high alert and advised citizens to remain vigilant and avoid travel in vulnerable areas.
