Shimla, Aug. 15 -- Rains continued to impact Himachal Pradesh, disrupting public utilities and hampering connectivity across several districts, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA). As of 5 pm, 406 roads, including two national highways, remained blocked, while 457 electricity distribution transformers (DTRs) and 222 water supply schemes were out of service.

The HPSDMA said the monsoon death toll has risen to 257, of which 133 deaths are rain-related -- caused by landslides, flash floods, house collapses, and other weather-triggered incidents -- while 124 fatalities occurred in road accidents.

Connectivity remained severely hit in districts such as Mandi (174 roads blocked), Kullu (79), Shimla (...