India, July 1 -- Heavy rains triggered building collapses, landslides, and widespread road blockades across Himachal Pradesh on Monday, with 23 people having died in rain-related incidents in the state since the onset of monsoon on June 20, according to official figures.

The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that 259 roads-including 129 in Mandi and 92 in Sirmaur-were closed due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. Additionally, 614 transformers and 130 water supply schemes were disrupted.

Rain fury was seen in popular tourist hill town of Shimla as well, where a five-storey building collapsed within seconds on Monday morning. In Mandi, which has been one of the worst hit areas, several people were reportedly missing on...