Monsoon has wreaked havoc in Himachal. So far, 91 people have died, 432 houses have been completely destroyed, and property worth ₹749 crore has been damaged. Relief operations are ongoing.
Himachal Monsoon Alert: This monsoon season has brought heavy devastation to Himachal Pradesh. So far, 91 people have died in the state, while 34 people are still missing. 131 people have been injured. Heavy rainfall and landslides have disrupted life in several districts. The state government and the disaster management department are continuously engaged in relief and rescue operations, but bad weather and damaged roads are major obstacles to these efforts.
Heavy Losses: Hundreds of Homes Destroyed
According to figures released by the state government, 432 houses have been completely destroyed, while 928 houses have been partially damaged. Approximately ₹749 crore worth of property has been damaged due to rain and related incidents. Mandi, Kangra, and Shimla are reported to be the most affected districts.
Mandi Most Affected, Roads and Transformers Down
Mandi district has emerged as the biggest center of disaster. A total of 166 roads, including a national highway (NH), are closed here. In addition, 143 transformers and 204 water supply schemes are also down. Due to these conditions, local people are struggling for basic facilities like electricity and water.
223 Roads Still Closed Across the State
According to the Himachal Pradesh Emergency Operation Center, a total of 223 roads, including a national highway, are still closed in the state. These roads are blocked due to landslides and falling trees. In addition, 151 transformers and 815 water supply schemes are not working, making the situation even more serious in rural areas.
Meteorological Department Issues Alert
Although the weather remained clear in most parts of the state on Friday, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall until July 17. A warning of heavy rain has been issued for Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts on July 12. An orange alert has been issued for July 13. The Meteorological Department has appealed to people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay in safe places.
Relief Operations Speed Up, but Challenges Remain
With some relief from the weather, relief operations have gained momentum in Mandi and other affected districts. Work is underway to open roads, restore electricity and water, and move people to safe places. Teams from the BRO, Public Works Department, Electricity Board, and Jal Shakti Department are working together.
Earthquake Tremors Felt in Chamba
While rain and landslides have kept people awake, mild tremors of an earthquake were also felt in Chamba district on Friday morning. Its intensity was measured at 3.5 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 5 kilometers below the ground. There is no report of any loss of life or property due to the earthquake, but it has created an atmosphere of fear among the people.
Administration Alert, Appeal to People to be Vigilant
After the earthquake in Chamba, the district administration has immediately put the relief and disaster management teams on alert. Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal said that the administration is taking full precautions after the earthquake.
Heavy Rainfall Affecting Life
The restoration of roads closed due to rain and landslides and the restoration of disrupted basic services has become a major challenge. Thousands of people are still living in relief camps. Schools have had to be closed and the supply of essential goods has also been affected in many areas. Considering the warnings of the Meteorological Department, the coming days could be even more difficult.
