Himachal Rains Trigger Widespread Landslides: Impact and Aftermath

Heavy rains battered parts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, causing widespread landslides and closing down 400 roads, including three national highways.

No casualties were reported, according to officials. However, the Shimla-Mandi road near Tatti-Pani in Sunni area has been blocked by scouring and sliding, reducing its width to a perilous 1.5 meters. An alternative route via Thali Bridge is also shut, isolating Karsog from Shimla.

In Kullu district, a massive landslide on the Aut-Largi-Sainj road near Pagal Nala severed road connections to approximately 15 villages. Reports revealed heavy rainfall measurements across the region, with Dhaulakuan receiving 113 mm since Sunday evening.

A 'yellow' warning remains in effect for isolated heavy rains in the state, excluding August 21, as stated by the local meteorological office. Further adding to the woes, 883 power transformers and 122 water supply schemes were disrupted.

Since the monsoon onset on June 20, the state has sustained losses of Rs 2,173 crore from rain-related incidents, including 74 flash floods, 36 cloudbursts, and 66 major landslides. So far, 136 fatalities have been reported, with 37 individuals still missing.

(With inputs from agencies.)