Devastating Rains Paralyze Himachal Pradesh: Roads and Schools Shuttered

Himachal Pradesh has been battered by heavy rains, leading to the closure of 617 roads, including four national highways, and educational institutions, officials reported Wednesday. The relentless downpour prompted the suspension of the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra, as destruction along the route endangered pilgrims' safety.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) revealed that 377 roads in Mandi district were impassable due to recent cloudbursts and landslides. Meanwhile, 90 roads in Kullu district faced similar fates. Major highways such as the Chandigarh-Manali and Old Hindustan-Tibet roads were shut to traffic following severe landslides.

In response to dangerous conditions, authorities suspended the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra, directing pilgrims to seek refuge at designated shelters. Since the monsoon onset, Himachal Pradesh has suffered Rs 1,852 crore in damages from the catastrophic weather, with 108 fatalities and numerous structural losses reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)