Torrential rains disrupt life in Himachal: 357 roads, 182 power transformers, 179 water schemes disrupted

HORNBILL TV

Torrential rains continue to disrupt life across Himachal Pradesh, with key infrastructure bearing the brunt.

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 30 (HBTV): Torrential rains continue to disrupt life across Himachal Pradesh, with key infrastructure bearing the brunt. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), as of 6 pm on July 29, a total of 357 roads, 182 power distribution transformers (DTRs), and 179 water supply schemes (WSS) have been disrupted due to heavy rainfall across the state.

Of the 357 roads blocked, one is a National Highway (NH-21) between Mandi and Kullu. The highest number of road blockages has been reported from Mandi district (259), followed by Kullu (47) and Kangra (24). Heavy rainfall has been cited as the primary reason for most disruptions.

The power sector also remains heavily affected, with Mandi district the worst hit, reporting 172 disrupted DTRs, followed by Kangra and Chamba with 5 each. Water supply services have similarly suffered, particularly in Kangra (98 schemes) and Mandi (47 schemes).

Meanwhile, the ongoing monsoon fury has tragically claimed 18 lives in the past 24 hours. As per state authorities, 14 of these deaths were directly caused by rain-related incidents, including landslides and flash floods, while four individuals lost their lives in separate road accidents.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) continues to monitor the situation, and restoration work is underway across multiple districts. Authorities have urged the public to avoid travel on vulnerable routes and to follow official advisories.

Earlier today, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that torrential rains wreaked havoc in Mandi district last night, particularly in the Jail Road area where two people were killed and more remain missing, buried under debris.

Speaking to reporters in Shimla, the Chief Minister termed the event as a possible 'cloudburst-like' disaster and assured that immediate rescue and relief measures were underway.

'Heavy rain lashed Mandi last night, causing severe damage to the Jail Road area. Two deaths have been reported. Given the scale of the disaster, I can say it resembles a cloudburst-like situation,' said Sukhu.

(ANI)