Shimla, Sep 15 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under the fury of incessant monsoon rains, with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirming that 404 people have lost their lives since June 20.
Of these, 229 deaths were caused by rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, drowning, cloudbursts, and house collapses, while 175 others perished in road accidents, underscoring the vulnerability of the hill state’s fragile transport network.
The SDMA described the devastation as “unprecedented”, estimating total losses at nearly Rs 44,890 crore. More than 462 people have been injured, 41 remain missing, and thousands of livestock have perished, while public infrastructure, roads, power supply lines, water schemes, health facilities, and schools have been crippled across districts.
Frequent landslides, collapsing retaining walls, and rising water levels in rivers and dams continue to threaten human settlements.
As of yesterday, 373 distribution transformers and 188 water supply schemes were non-functional, cutting off thousands of households.
Roads remain blocked across Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Kinnaur, even as emergency teams work on a war footing to restore key stretches such as the Kiratpur–Manali four-lane (NH-3) and NH-5 to Kinnaur.
The agriculture and horticulture sectors have been severely hit, with 8,278 hectares of crops and 6,036 hectares of orchards damaged.
Apple growers, already reeling from road blockages, are facing market gluts and transportation bottlenecks, dealing a blow to the backbone of Himachal’s rural economy. Vegetable supply chains, too, have collapsed in several valleys.
The hospitality and tourism industry, which saw a downturn during Operation Sindhur earlier this summer, is again in crisis. Torrential rains, rail and air disruptions, and road accidents have deterred domestic and foreign tourists, leaving hotels and resorts in Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala struggling with cancellations.
Mandi (61 deaths), Kangra (55), Chamba (50), Kullu (44), and Shimla (43) remain the worst-hit districts, accounting for the highest casualties and damage. Relief efforts continue, but air sorties and road operations are frequently hampered by weather, delaying rescue and food supplies to stranded residents.
With the South-West monsoon showing no signs of withdrawal, Himachal Pradesh is bracing for further challenges.
The government, in coordination with central agencies, has deployed men and machinery, but the SDMA warned that recovery will be a long and arduous process.
Incessant rains devastate Himachal, death toll over 400, Apple economy hit
