Himachal Monsoon Havoc : Monsoon-linked flash floods and landslides have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh. As many as 75 people have so far lost their lives, both in rain-related incidents and accidents, across the hill state. Mandi district has been the worst hit by the calamity, as several people have gone missing due to floods in the region. Search teams have launched a massive operation to ascertain the whereabouts of missing people.
Besides, a red alert for heavy rains has been sounded by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in Mandi, Kangra and Sirmaur for July 6.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said the SDRF and NDRF teams have been proactively working to expedite the rescue operations.
“The main road of Thunag has been made motorable today. A few supply vehicles have also been placed there. Supplies have been sent with the help of mules also… The number of missing people is still 31. We have not found any missing persons. Special forces of around 250 State Disaster Relief Force-NDRF personnel are deployed. The whole administration is working 24*7,” he said to ANI.
“The relief work is challenging because of the geography. We are trying to reach habitations… this is just the beginning of monsoons. It is about to rain for the next three months. For us, the extra challenge is that we have to conduct the relief, rehabilitation and restoration program during the monsoons. We have full support of the government, providing all resources,” he added.
Due to rain and landslides in the state, 239 roads are closed for traffic. 176 roads are closed in Mandi, 36 in Kullu, 12 in Kangra, 4 each in Shimla, Sirmaur and Una and 3 in Chamba. Electricity supply is disrupted due to 258 transformers being damaged. 230 transformers are damaged in Mandi, 20 in Chamba, 6 in Lahaul Spiti, 2 in Kullu.
289 drinking water schemes are affected, out of which 278 are damaged in Mandi alone. As many as 45 people have lost their lives across the state due to extreme rainfall.
