SHIMLA, July 12 — After weeks of relentless downpours that triggered flash floods, landslides, and large-scale damage across Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon is expected to weaken from July 18, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Officials forecast light to moderate rain across most parts of the state, with isolated heavy spells limited to the plains, low hills and adjoining mid-hills. Rainfall is likely to remain below normal between July 18 and 24, the department added.
However, until then, the IMD has issued a yellow weather warning for multiple districts, urging caution as heavy rain continues in several regions through the weekend.
In the past 24 hours, the state saw varied rainfall, with Murari Devi in Mandi receiving the highest at 130 mm, followed by 110 mm in Aghar (Hamirpur), 80 mm in Pandoh, and 53.2 mm in Mandi. Other notable figures included Bhuntar (47.6 mm), Sarahan (35 mm), Sundernagar (30.4 mm), Manali (23 mm), Kangra (16.8 mm), and Narkanda (12 mm).
The ongoing monsoon spell has already inflicted losses worth ₹751.95 crore, as per official estimates. The state has witnessed 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 landslides since the beginning of the season.
The torrential rains have crippled infrastructure, leaving 252 roads shut, with 203 of those in Mandi alone. Additional closures include 25 roads in Kullu, 13 in Kangra, four in Sirmour, three in Una, and two in Hamirpur.
Power supply too remains disrupted, with 327 transformers damaged statewide — the worst affected being Hamirpur (166), Mandi (102), and Solan (44). Meanwhile, 787 water supply schemes, including 612 in Kangra and 175 in Mandi, are still non-functional.
Authorities continue to urge residents and tourists to exercise caution, especially while travelling through landslide-prone zones, even as relief and restoration work is underway across affected districts.
