Heavy Rains Ravage Himachal Pradesh, 111 Dead and 12 Bridges Damaged

Himachal Pradesh has recorded 111 deaths due to heavy rains and other natural disasters during the current financial year, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi informed the state Assembly on Saturday.

Replying in writing to a question from BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, Negi said the state received an average rainfall of 109.80 mm over the past five months. During this period, three cloudburst incidents were reported, although no casualties were recorded in those incidents.

The minister said the disasters caused extensive damage to houses, roads, bridges, drinking water schemes, power infrastructure and other essential services across the state.

Sirmaur reported the highest number of fatalities at 87, followed by Lahaul-Spiti with 16, Solan with four, Mandi with two, and Kangra and Kullu with one each.

The rains damaged 12 bridges across the state. Lahaul-Spiti reported damage to four bridges, while Kinnaur and Solan each recorded three. Chamba and Shimla reported damage to one bridge each.

Housing damage was particularly severe in Solan, where 239 houses were affected, followed by Kangra with 155 and Mandi with 136. Chamba, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu and other districts also reported damage.

The road network suffered widespread disruption, with Kangra recording the highest number of affected roads at 736, followed by Mandi with 615 and Shimla with 614.

Negi said relief funds had so far been distributed to 1,871 affected families, while 1,260 families remained pending. He attributed most delays to families not applying through the RMS portal or submitting incomplete applications.

The state received ₹802.56 crore from the Centre for disaster relief and mitigation during the current financial year as of August 1. The funds were provided through the NDRF, SDRF, NDMF and SDMF. In the previous financial year, Himachal Pradesh received ₹3,007 crore under these heads.