Heavy Rain Causes Widespread Damage and Road Closures in Himachal Pradesh

GG News Bureau
Shimla, 13th August. A week of intense rainfall has led to the closure of 197 roads, including two national highways, in Himachal Pradesh, as landslides and flash floods wreak havoc across the state, officials reported on Monday.

Significant flooding and landslides have impacted several districts, including Una, Chamba, Mandi, Kinnaur, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan. The situation in Una district is particularly dire, with areas such as Haroli experiencing severe waterlogging and damage. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited Haroli, his constituency, where three girls were swept away on Sunday. Industrial units and other infrastructure have also suffered considerable losses. The sudden surge in water flow in the Hum Khud (nullah) has caused damage to homes, factories, roads, and utilities, with ongoing repair efforts in progress, Agnihotri stated.

According to officials, rain-related incidents have resulted in the deaths of 110 people, and the state has incurred losses estimated at approximately ₹1,004 crore from June 27 to August 12. The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that 66 roads remain closed in Shimla, 58 in Sirmaur, 33 in Mandi, 26 in Kullu, five each in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, and four in Kangra.

Additionally, 221 power and 143 water supply schemes have been disrupted. The regional meteorological office has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rain in isolated parts of the state through Saturday and has warned of a low to moderate risk of flash floods in Chamba, Kinnaur, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts until Tuesday.

Recent rainfall measurements include 115 mm in Nagal dam, 87 mm in Kasauli, 56 mm in Una, and various other locations across the state. Rescue operations continue for about 30 people missing since the July 31 flash floods in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla, with 28 bodies recovered so far. Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest night temperature at 11.3°C, while Hamirpur experienced the highest maximum temperature at 33.6°C.