Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the aftermath of a severe and unusual monsoon season, which has claimed 448 lives, according to the latest report from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Between June 20 and September 21, rain-related incidents, including landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, were responsible for 261 deaths, while road accidents in the state’s hilly terrain claimed 187 lives.

Among the rain-related fatalities, landslides were the deadliest, causing 53 deaths, followed by 41 from drowning and 18 from cloudbursts. Other causes included electrocution, house collapses, and falls from steep slopes. The districts of Mandi and Chamba were particularly affected, each reporting over 40 fatalities due to rain-related disasters.

The state’s mountainous roads also contributed heavily to the death toll. Most road accident deaths occurred in Chamba, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Kangra. Chamba and Mandi reported 24 fatalities each, while Shimla and Solan saw 25 deaths each. Kinnaur, though sparsely populated, recorded 15 deaths from road mishaps.

The monsoon has caused massive damage to infrastructure. The SDMA estimates total losses of over ₹4,841.79 crore. The Public Works Department (PWD) alone reported damages worth ₹2,98,113 lakh, mainly to roads and bridges. Water supply and power infrastructure suffered losses of ₹146,385 lakh and ₹13,946 lakh, respectively.

Agriculture and livestock have also been badly affected. More than 29,000 animals, including over 26,000 poultry birds, have died. Thousands of families were impacted, with 663 houses fully destroyed and over 1,000 partially damaged. Additionally, 2,300 cowsheds were destroyed, affecting rural livelihoods.

An SDMA spokesperson said, “The state is working relentlessly to restore essential services, but the situation remains fragile. We urge citizens to remain cautious and stay updated on weather advisories.”

The scale of the devastation highlights the urgent need for careful monitoring and preventive measures as the state continues to recover from one of the most destructive monsoon seasons in recent

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