Shimla, July 10 -- Over the past nine days, torrential monsoon rains have wreaked widespread devastation across Himachal Pradesh, claiming a total of 46 lives, including 15 rain-related deaths and 31 fatalities from road accidents, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HP SDMA). The disaster has left 27 people missing, all from rain-related incidents, with five more injured.

The worst-hit district continues to be Mandi, where all 15 rain-related deaths and the majority of the 27 missing persons have been reported. The casualties are the result of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall since June 30.

The HP SDMA report, released on July 10, details the staggering scale o...