Heavy rain has left Himachal Pradesh badly hit. As many as 66 roads are blocked across the state, and National Highway-05 in Kinnaur is one of them. The highway was blocked on Sunday after a mudslide and shooting stones in Pooh subdivision. This has cut off Kinnaur from Lahaul and Spiti.
The damage is not limited to roads. About 166 transformers have been disrupted across the state after being damaged during the recent spell of heavy rain. This means power supply has taken a hit in many areas at the same time as roads are closed.
Which Districts Are Worst Affected by the Himachal Rain
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) has shared a district-wise breakdown of the blocked roads. Mandi has the highest number at 29, followed by Lahaul and Spiti with 19. Kullu and Kangra each have six blocked roads. Sirmaur has three, Una has two, and Shimla has one.
The transformer damage follows a similar pattern. Kinnaur has the most disrupted transformers at 42. Mandi is next with 34, then Sirmaur with 27. Shimla has seven disrupted transformers and Chamba has six.
- Mandi: 29 roads blocked, 34 transformers disrupted
- Lahaul and Spiti: 19 roads blocked
- Kullu and Kangra: 6 roads blocked each
- Sirmaur: 3 roads blocked, 27 transformers disrupted
- Una: 2 roads blocked
- Shimla: 1 road blocked, 7 transformers disrupted
- Kinnaur: 42 transformers disrupted
- Chamba: 6 transformers disrupted
More Rain and Snow Expected in Himachal Pradesh
The situation may not improve soon. The State Meteorological Centre has forecast snowfall in the higher reaches and light to moderate rain in the rest of the state. This means the risk of more landslides and fresh road blockages stays high.
Shooting stones and mudslides are common in Himachal's hill districts during heavy rain. When a national highway like NH-05 is blocked, it does not just affect local travel. It cuts off entire regions from each other, making it harder to move people, goods, and emergency supplies.
Our Take: Why This Himachal Road Blockage Matters
In our view, this is a serious situation that deserves more attention than it usually gets. When 66 roads are blocked and 166 transformers are down at the same time, it is not just an inconvenience. It is a breakdown of basic connectivity for thousands of people.
Kinnaur being cut off from Lahaul and Spiti is a big deal. These are remote areas where people depend on a single highway for almost everything. If NH-05 stays blocked for long, essential supplies can run short.
To put it plainly, Himachal Pradesh faces this problem every year during the monsoon. Roads get blocked, power goes out, and people wait for things to get back to normal. The real question is whether the state is doing enough to prepare for these repeated weather events. Better drainage, stronger road embankments, and quicker repair teams could reduce the damage. But that requires planning before the rain comes, not after the roads are already gone.
For now, travellers should avoid the affected routes, especially NH-05 in Kinnaur. With more rain and snow in the forecast, conditions could get worse before they get better.