Shimla, Aug 28 — Torrential rain in Himachal Pradesh left 690 roads, including three national highways, closed to traffic on Thursday, severely disrupting movement across several districts.
The State Emergency Operation Centre said Mandi district was the worst hit, where 320 roads, including National Highway 3, were shut. In Kullu, 132 roads, among them NH-305, were blocked. Other closures were reported in Shimla (56), Sirmaur (54), Kangra (34), Una (30), Solan (27), Bilaspur (19), Hamirpur (15) and Kinnaur (3), where NH-5 was among the affected stretches.
Electricity and water supplies have also taken a heavy hit. Officials reported that 2,349 power distribution transformers were out of service statewide, including 1,021 in Mandi, 859 in Kullu, 302 in Solan, 98 in Una, 49 in Hamirpur, eight in Kinnaur, and six each in Shimla and Kangra. In addition, 234 water supply schemes have been knocked out, cutting access to drinking water for thousands. The breakdowns were concentrated in Kullu (88), Hamirpur (49), Mandi (33), Solan (18), Kangra (8), Sirmaur (3), and Una (1).
“People are facing difficulties as both road connectivity and essential services have been badly affected,” an official at the Emergency Centre said, adding that restoration work was underway in multiple districts.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy rain and warned of continued risk. An orange alert has been issued for Solan and Bilaspur, while a yellow warning is in place for Shimla, Mandi, Hamirpur, Una, Kangra, Kullu, Kinnaur and Sirmaur. “Rain activity is likely to remain intense in some pockets. District administrations have been asked to stay alert,” a weather office spokesperson noted.
Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay updated through local advisories as efforts to reopen roads and restore services continue.
