Shimla, Aug. 18 -- The monsoon death toll in Himachal Pradesh has mounted to 263 as torrential rains continue to wreak havoc across the state.
According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), two fresh fatalities were reported yesterday in separate road mishaps in Chamba and Kangra districts.
Authorities said that nearly 397 roads, including three National Highways (NH-03, NH-05, and NH-305), remain blocked due to landslides, flash floods, and scouring.
The Shimla-Mandi National Highway has been severely damaged between RD 51/000 and 52/000 by the swollen Satluj river, with road width reduced to just 1.5 metres at RD 51/555. The section has been declared unsafe and closed for all vehicular traffic.
The alternative Thali Brid...