The State Emergency Operation Centre on Monday reported that 87 roads across Himachal Pradesh remain blocked after damage from torrential monsoon rains, with disruptions to power and drinking-water supplies in some districts as the Meteorological Centre forecasts more rain until August 23.
Roads, power and water supplies affected
According to the state emergency body, the blocked roads are distributed across the state as follows:
| District | Blocked roads |
|---|---|
| Kullu | 33 |
| Mandi | 27 |
| Shimla | 9 |
| Kangra | 6 |
| Una | 4 |
| Sirmaur | 4 |
| Chamba | 3 |
| Lahaul and Spiti | 1 |
In addition to road cuts, the emergency centre said four transformers — two each in Shimla and Kullu — and eight drinking-water supply schemes in Shimla remain disrupted. The continuing outages underline the immediate infrastructure pressures in affected areas.
Weather outlook and district alerts
The Meteorological Centre has issued district-level orange and yellow alerts as heavy rainfall is expected to persist over the coming days. The forecast warns of very heavy to heavy rain at isolated places and the possibility of landslides and flash floods at vulnerable locations.
- Orange alert (Aug 18): Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur and Sirmaur — very heavy to heavy rain at isolated places; landslides and flash floods possible.
- Yellow alert (Aug 18): Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Una, Hamirpur and Chamba — heavy rain at isolated places.
Light to moderate rain is expected elsewhere in the state. The Met office forecast indicates rainfall activity may continue across the state until August 23.
Recent rainfall and temperature readings
During the past 24 hours, several places recorded measurable precipitation. Dharamsala received 52.2 mm, Nahan 30.6 mm, Una 12.6 mm and Kasauli 10 mm. The Met centre also provided maximum temperature readings across stations in the state, reflecting cooler conditions in higher reaches and warmer plains.
| Location | Maximum temperature (°C) |
|---|---|
| Shimla | 23.7 |
| Dharamsala | 28.0 |
| Manali | 26.2 |
| Solan | 30.0 |
| Kangra | 32.3 |
| Una | 33.0 |
| Mandi | 33.7 (highest in state) |
| Kukumseri (Lahaul & Spiti) | 11.4 (lowest minimum) |
Local impact and travel implications
The continuing blockages and infrastructure damage are likely to disrupt travel and routine services in several hill and mid-hill districts. Road obstructions in Kullu and Mandi, which account for the majority of blocked routes, could affect access to remote habitations and tourism circuits that rely on these links.
Authorities have already reported transformer failures and interruptions in drinking-water schemes in parts of Shimla and Kullu. Restoration teams and local administrations will need clear weather windows to carry out repairs and to clear landslide debris on affected roads.
Precautions and safety reminders
- Residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas should remain alert to local emergency advisories and be prepared for possible waterlogging and temporary displacement.
- Motorists are advised to avoid discontinued or damaged routes and to follow instructions from traffic and district administration officials.
- Communities dependent on disrupted water schemes should use alternate safe water sources and heed public-health guidance until supplies are restored.
The Meteorological Centre and the State Emergency Operation Centre will continue to monitor the situation as the monsoon systems evolve through the next week. Residents are advised to check official district and state channels for real-time updates on road reopenings, power restoration and relief measures.
