Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh have claimed 78 lives so far. Flood-like situations prevail in Mandi, Chamba, and Una. 243 roads are closed, and the administration is on high alert.
Himachal Flood: The incessant rain in Himachal Pradesh over the past few days has caused widespread devastation. Several districts have witnessed cloudbursts, floods, and landslides. More than 78 people have lost their lives, and many are reported missing. Roads are closed in various parts of the state, bridges have been washed away, and property worth millions has been damaged.
Cloudburst Incidents in Chamba and Mandi
On Sunday, cloudbursts occurred in the Kangela Nala of Bagheigarh Panchayat and the Bandha Nala of Tikrigarh Panchayat in Chamba district. In addition, a cloudburst in the Kortang village of Silhbudhani Panchayat in the Chohar Valley of Mandi caused flood-like conditions on Saturday night.
These incidents led to the washing away of a total of five bridges in Chamba and Mandi districts. This completely cut off connectivity to several villages. The bridge on the Nakroড়-Chanju road collapsed, severely impacting the area's traffic system.
Panic in Mandi at Midnight
A sudden flood occurred in Kortang village late Saturday night. The villagers heard the loud sounds of water and stones and immediately evacuated their homes to save their lives. Four footbridges and a culvert of the Public Works Department were washed away in the flood. The fertile land here has also been destroyed. Several houses in Silh, Budhani, and Kortang have also been damaged. Six houses are completely at risk.
Flood-like Situation in Una District
The situation in Una district remains critical. Heavy rainfall has submerged many roads, and water has entered homes. Forty-five laborers were trapped in a Nangal Salangdi industrial unit due to waterlogging, but they were rescued safely by the fire department and home guard teams.
A petrol pump in Jhalera village has been inundated. Several industries in the Gagret area have also been flooded, causing losses worth crores of rupees. The administration in Una is on high alert, and relief work is ongoing.
Recovery of Bodies and Missing Persons
A woman was swept away in the Shukra Khad of the Barsar area of Hamirpur district. A truck loaded with rations is also stuck in this khad. Meanwhile, the body of a 14-15 year old girl was found in the Beas River near Bajahar village near Sujanpur. The administration suspects that the body may have been washed away from Mandi district.
243 Roads Still Closed
A total of 243 roads are closed in Himachal Pradesh due to rain and landslides. Mandi district has the most affected roads, with 183 blocked. In Kullu, 36 roads are closed, 12 in Kangra, 6 in Una, 4 in Chamba, and 2 in Sirmaur. This is causing significant inconvenience to the general public and tourists.
Impact on Electricity and Water Supply
Many transformers have been damaged in the state due to heavy rainfall and landslides. 182 transformers are affected in Mandi, 41 in Una, 12 in Kinnaur, and three each in Kullu and Chamba. In addition, 278 water supply schemes in the state are also disrupted, leading to a severe water shortage.
Weather Department Issues Another Alert
The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that the weather in Himachal Pradesh may worsen in the coming days. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Chamba and Kullu districts on Monday, July 7th. An Orange Alert has been declared for the other districts of the state. Only Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur have been temporarily excluded from this warning. The administration has instructed all district officials to remain vigilant, keeping in mind the possibility of floods and landslides. People have been advised not to go near rivers and streams.
Relief and Rescue Operations Intensified
The state government and district administration are engaged in relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. NDRF and SDRF teams are deployed on the spot. Relief materials are being delivered by helicopters. Priority is being given to those villages that have been completely cut off.
