125 Roads Closed Across Himachal as Wet Spell to Continue Till August 29

Persistent monsoon showers have affected transport across Himachal Pradesh, leaving 125 roads blocked to vehicular traffic as of Sunday. The India Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall in the state through August 29, with Mandi reporting the highest number of road closures.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 62 roads were blocked in Mandi, followed by 31 in Kullu, 10 in Shimla, eight each in Chamba and Kangra, four in Una, and one each in Bilaspur and Lahaul-Spiti. The rain-related disruption also affected essential services, with 33 power transformers and 20 drinking-water supply schemes reported to be dysfunctional.

Mandi also witnessed significant localised flooding. Heavy rain turned the historic Clock Tower (Ghantaghar) complex at Indira Market into a waterlogged stretch, prompting the Mandi Traders' Association to release videos and seek intervention from the Municipal Corporation.

Road connectivity was particularly affected near Chamda Mod, around one kilometre from Kotropi on the Mandi-Pathankot National Highway. A section of road and a retaining wall collapsed, halting traffic. Officials subsequently cut into the hillside to create a passage for small vehicles, while heavy vehicles and buses were diverted to alternative routes. The collapse reportedly affected a stretch extending around 200 metres, with debris and strong water flow uprooting several pine trees.

The rainfall has been substantial in several parts of the state. Mandi recorded 124.4 mm of rain over the 24-hour period, followed by Kangra at 115.8 mm, Sundernagar at 74.3 mm, Dharamshala at 69.4 mm, Palampur at 46.4 mm and Paonta Sahib at 46.2 mm.

The latest Monday morning update indicates that conditions have begun to improve marginally: 121 roads remained blocked, including 61 in Mandi and 31 in Kullu, while 31 transformers and 19 water-supply schemes were disrupted. The Met department also issued a yellow alert for Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, with light rain likely in those areas.

Despite the temporary improvement, authorities remain concerned as further rain could trigger fresh landslides and road damage. The state received 185.3 mm of rainfall between August 1 and 23, compared with a normal 207.7 mm, representing an 11 per cent deficit. Since the monsoon began on June 30, rain-related incidents have claimed around 94 lives, while cumulative losses have reached approximately ₹1,137 crore.