Shimla, July 21 -- Severe monsoon rains continue to batter Himachal Pradesh, paralysing essential public services and causing widespread disruption across the state. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), a total of 468 roads remain blocked, 676 water supply schemes are disrupted, and 1,199 distribution transformers (DTRs) are non-functional as of 10 am on Monday.

According to cumulative monsoon season data released by SDMA, the total death toll has climbed to 125 since June 20, of which 70 people lost their lives in rain-related calamities such as landslides, flash floods, electrocution, and building collapses. Meanwhile, 55 lives have been lost in road accidents, which have surged amid slippery roads and poor visi...