NEW DELHI: Death tolls reached 55 in the rampaging rains pouring continuously across major portions of Himachal Pradesh. Many people are feared of being trapped underneath landslide rubbles. Most roads have been destroyed while many buildings collapsed into shreds in a moment's time. Roads leading to Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Gangotri temples were damaged in Uttarakhand due to heavy rains. Along with the many missing people, the officials are also alarmed about the rising water level in Ganga.

Bilaspur, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kangra, and Champa districts of Himachal are placed under red alert for heavy rain. All schools and colleges in the state remained closed on Monday. According to the state emergency operation center, 752 roads were closed in the state because of the calamity. According to IMD reports, the rain will slowly abate from Wednesday.

In Himachal, Mandi, and Shimla districts were worst affected by the rains. 15 people died in Shimla. More than 10 people are missing. In the Krishna Nagar area, around seven houses were destroyed due to landslides. River Beas is overflowing. Yesterday's Independence Day celebrations were minimal with no big celebration reported.

Meanwhile, the Kalka-Shimla railway line between Summerhill and Jutogh stations was suspended due to a 30 feet landslide. The 114-year-old heritage pathway was also affected by the rains that lashed last month. Himachal Pradesh University has declared a holiday till the 19th of August.