Jammu, July 6 -- New Delhi, Jul 6 - Relentless monsoon rains continue to devastate Himachal Pradesh, with the death toll rising to 74 and over three dozen people still reported missing. Mandi district remains the worst affected, where search and rescue teams are racing to locate at least 30 people feared trapped under debris after flash floods and cloudbursts earlier this week.

Operations led by the SDRF, NDRF, police, and army are ongoing, though harsh terrain and damaged infrastructure are hampering efforts. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured preparedness, even as the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) estimated losses nearing Rs.566 crore - a figure the CM said could be closer to Rs.700 crore.

The IMD...