Heavy rainfall and floods have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, leaving 303 people dead and causing widespread damage to infrastructure. Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the monsoon has been “very active” in the past 24 hours, hitting Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti districts the hardest.
As of Monday morning, 625 roads, including three national highways, were blocked. Over 1,500 electricity transformers were damaged, while 162 water supply schemes were also affected. Negi confirmed severe losses to both life and property, with 155 deaths linked to rain-related incidents and 148 due to road accidents.
The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert until August 27, and administrations have been asked to stay on high alert. Schools and institutions may be closed in affected areas. Rescue and relief teams are on standby.
The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has announced enhanced relief packages. Compensation for fully damaged houses has been raised to ₹7 lakh, partially damaged houses to ₹1 lakh, and destroyed household goods to ₹70,000. Farmers, shopkeepers, and livestock owners will also receive higher aid.
Negi urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as landslides continue to block roads.
