Monsoon mayhem in Himachal: 259 roads blocked, red alert grips state | VIDEO
Shimla: Heavy monsoon rains have continued to batter Himachal Pradesh, severely impacting daily life and crippling public infrastructure across multiple districts. According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), persistent downpours over the past 24 hours have left 259 roads blocked, disrupted 614 power distribution transformers (DTRs), and affected 130 water supply schemes.
“The monsoon is tightening its grip, and the effects are visible throughout the state. Roads, electricity lines, and water supply systems have all taken a hit,” said an official from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), adding that ground teams are working around the clock to restore essential services.
Mandi district worst affected
Mandi district has borne the brunt of the devastation, with 139 roads rendered impassable and 314 power transformers knocked out—most significantly in Gohar (199), Mandi II (79), and J Nagar (18).
In Sirmaur district, 92 water supply schemes have been disrupted, including 19 in Nohradhar and 16 in Pachhad. Meanwhile, Kullu district reported 20 blocked roads and 47 affected water schemes, particularly in the Kullu, Largi, and Anni sub-divisions. Lahaul and Spiti faced the most severe transformer failure at a single location, with 139 DTRs disrupted in Spiti alone.
Emergency routes remain open
Despite the scale of the damage, no national highways have been blocked, ensuring emergency services and supply chains remain operational. Local authorities are actively engaged in clearing landslides and restoring broken infrastructure.
“Our top priority is restoring access and utilities in the hardest-hit areas such as Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kullu,” stated an official from the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management. “Repair teams have been mobilised with urgency.”
Weather warnings in place
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several districts--Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla--warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations amid sustained monsoon activity.
Speaking to ANI, Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at the IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Shimla, reported that while most regions received moderate rainfall in the past 24 hours, some areas saw intense showers. “The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Pandoh (Mandi district) at 130 mm, followed by Mandi town at 120 mm, Sunni in Shimla at 113 mm, and Palampur at 80 mm,” he said.
Looking ahead, Sharma warned that intense rainfall is likely to continue in parts of the state. “We are expecting light to moderate rainfall in most regions. However, heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated spots in Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla—hence the orange alert.”
Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in hilly and landslide-prone areas, and to stay informed through official weather bulletins and disaster alerts.