Multiple flash flood incidents were reported on Sunday in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, disrupting traffic along the Mandi-Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway. Blockages were reported at Panarsa, Takoli, and Nagwain, bringing vehicular movement to a halt.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mandi, Sachin Hiremath, confirmed that no human casualties were reported in Sunday’s incidents. Police personnel are monitoring the affected stretches, while restoration work is underway to clear debris and restore traffic flow.
The fresh disruptions come as Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under the heavy impact of the ongoing monsoon. According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), the state has recorded 261 deaths between June 20 and August 16. Of these, 136 were caused by rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, drowning, electrocution, and house collapses, while 125 fatalities were linked to road accidents.
Mandi district has been among the worst affected, recording 26 deaths along with extensive damage to public infrastructure. Other severely hit regions include Kangra (28 deaths, including seven in landslides and six in flash floods), Chamba (10 deaths), and Kullu (11 deaths).
The HPSDMA estimates that damages to public and private property have crossed ₹2,14,457 lakh this monsoon. Roads, water supply systems, power lines, agriculture, and horticulture have suffered massive losses. The Public Works Department (PWD) alone has reported damages exceeding ₹1.18 lakh crore, while agriculture and horticulture combined losses are pegged at over ₹83,000 crore.
Road connectivity remains one of the worst-hit sectors, with frequent landslides and flash floods blocking key highways such as NH-05 (Kinnaur) and NH-305 (Kullu). Several villages in interior regions continue to remain cut off for days, hampering rescue and relief operations.
The disaster authority also reported widespread destruction of homes and livestock: 278 houses fully damaged, 288 partially damaged, 703 cowsheds destroyed, and over 27,000 animals and birds lost in rain-related incidents.
Officials said restoring essential services—roads, electricity, and water supply—remains a top priority, though recurring landslides and continuous rainfall are slowing down progress. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and strictly follow weather advisories.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)