Shimla, July 6: Monsoon rains have claimed 78 lives in Himachal Pradesh since June 20, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of the total fatalities, 50 were caused by rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and electrocutions, while 28 people died in road accidents.
Mandi district has been the worst-hit, accounting for 17 rain-related deaths, followed by Kangra with 11. Other districts affected include Kullu, Chamba, and Shimla, each reporting three deaths.
Among the 50 rain-linked casualties, flash floods led to 14 deaths, while drowning and electrocution claimed eight lives each. The rest resulted from landslides, lightning strikes, accidental falls, and snake bites.
The 28 road accident fatalities were spread across various districts, with Chamba topping the list with six deaths, followed by Bilaspur, Kullu, and Kangra.
In addition to the human toll, the state is grappling with widespread infrastructure and economic damage. The SDMA reported that 269 roads remain blocked, 285 power transformers are down, and 278 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Losses to public and private property have been pegged at over ₹57 crore.
Agricultural fields have been ravaged, homes and cattle sheds damaged, and essential services like healthcare and education severely affected.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams deployed in vulnerable areas, especially in Mandi and Kullu where people are still reported missing.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have urged residents to stay vigilant as heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the coming days.
