Monsoon impact and damage assessment
The total loss from torrential rains during the current monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh has escalated to ₹1,683.73 crore, the Department of Revenue said on Saturday. Of this, the Public Works Department (PWD) accounted for the largest share of damage, amounting to ₹1,231.59 crore.
The Jal Shakti Department has reported losses of ₹368.68 crore, while the Power Department has sustained damage totalling ₹21.5 crore, according to the revenue department figures made available to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
Human toll and housing damage
State agencies put the death toll from the monsoon season at 298. The fatalities comprise 178 people in road accidents and 120 in flash floods and landslides. Authorities also reported that 129 houses have been completely damaged across the state.
Roads and power infrastructure
The SEOC said that a total of 63 roads remained blocked when the latest assessment was compiled. The distribution of blocked roads by district showed a concentration in mid-Himachal:
- Mandi: 30 blocked roads
- Kullu: 11 blocked roads
- Kangra: 11 blocked roads
- Shimla, Sirmaur, Una: three each
- Lahaul and Spiti: one blocked road
Damage to power infrastructure was also reported: 21 transformers have been damaged statewide. Of these, 16 are in Kullu, three in Mandi and two in Shimla.
| Department / Category | Reported loss / count |
|---|---|
| Public Works Department | ₹1,231.59 crore |
| Jal Shakti Department | ₹368.68 crore |
| Power Department | ₹21.5 crore |
| Fatalities (total) | 298 |
| Houses completely damaged | 129 |
| Roads blocked | 63 |
| Power transformers damaged | 21 |
Weather outlook and immediate risks
Meteorological observations and the SEOC forecast indicate that light to moderate rain is likely to continue across the state until 18 September. The outlook expects minimum temperatures to remain within normal ranges while maximum temperatures may decline by about 2°C to 3°C during this period.
Light to moderate showers were recorded in several districts during the 24-hour reporting window used for the latest assessment. Temperature readings at select locations included: Shimla 23°C, Dharamsala 29°C, Manali 25.5°C, Solan 30°C and Una 33.8°C as the highest maximum. The coldest minimum was 10.7°C at Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti.
Operational response and local impacts
The state emergency machinery continues to coordinate clearance of blocked roads and restoration of power supplies. District administrations in the worst-affected areas, notably Mandi and Kullu, are managing landslide and flood response operations where access remains restricted in several stretches.
- Relief teams and engineers are prioritising reopening arterial roads and stabilising slopes where landslides have occurred.
- Power department crews are engaged in replacing damaged transformers and restoring service where feasible.
- Authorities are likely to undertake more detailed damage assessments once access improves to remote hamlets and high-altitude stretches.
The consolidated figures provided by the Department of Revenue and the SEOC present a preliminary account of the fiscal and human cost of this season's heavy rains. Officials will use these assessments to seek additional funds and plan reconstruction and mitigation measures in the coming weeks.
Local residents in vulnerable areas are being advised to follow district administration instructions, avoid non-essential travel on affected routes and stay alert to further weather advisories until the rain subsides and roads are declared clear.
