NEW DELHI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 15 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents, including 19 flash floods and 4 cloudbursts, in India's northern hilly state of Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season, stated a senior government official on Monday.

The state's Special Secretary of Disaster Management Pushpendra Rana told the media that over 120 roads remained disrupted, and drinking water supply had been adversely affected in several areas.

According to him, total loss across the state due to heavy rains was estimated between 8 billion Indian Rupees (around 83 million U.S. dollars) and 10 billion Indian Rupees.

The State Disaster Management Authority was making every effort to minimize casualties. Assessing the damage would take time, as estimating the costs for recovery and reconstruction was a lengthy process, he added. ■