223 Roads, 812 Water Schemes Disrupted in Himachal; Drones, SDRF Teams Airlift Essentials to Flood-Hit Seraj Villages
Shimla, July 11:
Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under the aftershocks of incessant rains and flash floods, with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reporting that a total of 223 roads, including National Highway NH-003 (Mandi to Dharampur via Kotli), remain blocked as of Friday morning. Additionally, 151 electricity transformers (DTRs) and 812 water supply schemes across districts have been disrupted, throwing life out of gear in several hill pockets.
Among the worst-hit is Mandi district, where 166 roads, 143 DTRs, and 204 water schemes lie crippled due to landslides and heavy rainfall.
Sub-Divisions like Seraj, Dharampur, and Thalout continue to face the brunt, with field teams struggling to reach remote locations.
In a swift response, SDRF teams, assisted by drone technology, have been deployed to air-drop medicines and essential supplies to villagers stranded in Seraj — the region most battered by the June 30 cloudbursts.
Many villages remain cut off due to broken bridges and washed-away roads.
“People in upper Seraj are still out of network and road connectivity. SDRF is actively using drones to assess damages and deliver emergency kits to the stranded,” said a senior official from SEOC.
Kullu and Kangra too have reported significant utility disruptions. Kullu alone has 13 blocked roads and 2 damaged DTRs, while Kangra’s water woes have exploded, with 603 drinking water schemes non-functional, especially in Dharamshala, Nurpur, and Dehra.
The situation is equally grim in Sirmaur, where 25 roads have been closed in Paonta, Shillai, Sangrah, and Nahan due to downpours. While water supply details are still awaited, local authorities report massive landslides damaging rural link roads.
In Una district, the Badsala Bridge under PWD Bangana Division — damaged since early July — remains shut, cutting off the route till at least August 21, forcing vehicles to take long diversions.
Despite temporary restoration in Kinnaur and Kullu for irrigation and sewerage schemes, officials admit this is just a stopgap.
“Restoring water supply and electricity to all affected areas may take several more days,” confirmed an SEOC officer.
As monsoon mayhem continues, authorities have issued advisories urging people to avoid travel on vulnerable hill roads and report local blockages to control rooms. With more rain forecasted, the hill state remains on edge.
With inputs from SEOC and field reports across Himachal Pradesh
