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The Meteorological department on Monday issued an ‘orange’ alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, reported news agency PTI. As per the official statement, the alert has been issued for today and tomorrow in the wake of the incessant rains.

According to the weather department, heavy to very heavy showers are likely to occur at isolated locations in Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur on Monday, and in Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur on Tuesday.

A ‘yellow’ warning for heavy rain has also been issued for three to seven out of the state’s twelve districts, effective until Friday.

Over 200 Roads Closed 

Due to the adverse weather, 208 roads — 157 of them in Mandi — have been closed to vehicular traffic. Additionally, 745 water supply schemes and 139 electricity distribution transformers have been impacted, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

As per the PTI report, Himachal Pradesh has already incurred losses exceeding Rs 770 crore during this year’s monsoon season. Property damage includes 668 houses (fully and partially), 788 cowsheds, and 224 shops and factories.

98 People Died 

Between June 20 and July 13, a total of 98 people have lost their lives — 57 due to rain-related incidents and 41 in road accidents. Another 178 individuals sustained injuries, while 34 are reported missing. The state has so far experienced 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 landslides.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall has been recorded in various parts of the state. Rajgarh in Sirmaur district received 72 mm of rainfall since Sunday evening, followed by Khadrala (42.4 mm), Pachhad (38 mm), Mandi (26.4 mm), Bhuntar (22 mm), Shilaroo (14.2 mm), Seobagh (12.2 mm), Shimla (11.5 mm), and Rohru (10 mm).
 

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to locate the 27 people who went missing after ten cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides caused devastation across Mandi district during the night of 30 June to 1 July, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, officials confirmed.

The SDMA and district administrations are actively engaged in relief and clearance operations. “The monsoon continues to present a major challenge to the state’s disaster management machinery. Our teams are working 24/7 to restore normalcy and minimise further loss," a senior SDMA official told ANI.