The death toll includes several who were killed after a Hindu temple collapsed in Shimla. The state of Himachal Pradesh has been witnessing widespread destruction due to erratic and extreme rainfall this year.
At least 50 people have died after torrential rains in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh caused flooding and landslides, officials told Indian media on Monday.
Indian news agency Asian News International (ANI) quoted Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as saying "over 50 people" lost their lives in the past 24 hours.
"Over 20 people are still trapped, the death toll can also increase. Search and rescue operation is underway. We have taken the decision not to organize any cultural program on the occasion of Independence Day," he added. India celebrates Independence Day on Tuesday.
The Himachal Pradesh deaths included nine who died after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide in Shimla, the state's capital city, that swept away a temple.
The affected areas witnessed incessant rains for about 55 hours that wreaked havoc in several districts in hilly Himachal Pradesh.
Several parts of the state had received as much as 273 mm (10.75 inches) of rain in 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
