Shimla, September 23 (Udaipur Kiran News): Weather conditions once again turned adverse in Himachal Pradesh on Monday, with cloudy skies and light rainfall reported in several districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light showers in parts of Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur today and tomorrow, while the weather is expected to remain clear across the state from September 26 to 29.
According to the IMD, conditions are favourable for the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from Himachal in the next two days.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to restore connectivity after recent heavy rains triggered widespread damage. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that two national highways and 338 roads are still blocked. This includes 109 in Mandi, 106 in Kullu, 40 in Kangra, 22 in Shimla and 15 in Chamba. A highway each remains closed in Una and Kullu. Additionally, 45 power transformers and 77 drinking water schemes are disrupted.
This year’s monsoon has left behind heavy destruction. SEOC data shows that 451 people lost their lives so far, while 47 remain missing. The highest fatalities were reported from Chamba (68), followed by Mandi (66), Kangra (57), Kullu (49) and Shimla (48).
The season has also caused large-scale damage to property and livestock. A total of 1,709 houses were completely destroyed and 7,376 were partially damaged, while 495 shops were flattened. Over 2,500 cattle and more than 26,000 poultry birds perished.
The state government’s initial estimates put total losses at over Rs. 4,861 crore. Roads and bridges under the Public Works Department suffered the heaviest damage worth around Rs. 3,000 crore, followed by Rs. 1,463 crore losses to the Jal Shakti Department and Rs. 1,396 crore to the power sector.
Since June 20, when the monsoon arrived in Himachal, the state recorded 148 landslides, 98 flash floods and 47 cloudburst incidents. Lahaul-Spiti saw the highest number of landslides (30) and flash floods (57), while Mandi reported the most cloudbursts (19).
As per the IMD, the normal withdrawal date of the southwest monsoon from Himachal is September 25. In the past decade, the monsoon has withdrawn in September only three times, while in most years it lingered until October.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
