Rescue teams work amid landslides and flood-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh is reeling under one of the most destructive spells of rain during monsoon in the last few years, as per the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).
It reported that there were 263 deaths in the state from June 20 on. Out of these deaths, 136 were directly caused by rain-related disasters such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning and electrocution, while 127 were due to separate road accidents.
Continuous rains would create an extensive trail of destruction in an evergreen topography such as that of this hill state.
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As per cumulative data, over more than 31,000 have been damaged, including houses, shops, labour huts and cattle sheds. Many have already been completely destroyed. Infrastructure that has been badly hampered includes disruption to 2,201 roads, 2,550 affected drinking water supply schemes and 1,145 down power lines, plunging large areas into darkness.
Public property losses have been pegged at a whopping ₹2,173 crore, making this monsoon season one of high damage magnitude.
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Even animal husbandry suffered heavily, where 1,626 cattle and more than 25,700 poultry birds die because of heavy rains. The figures above denote far-reaching economic and social effects on lives in Himachal Pradesh.
Mandi, Kangra, Kinnaur and Kullu have suffered the most from death and destruction due to rains. Chamba and Kangra were also reported to have one death each due to road accidents on August 17 alone.
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More than 397 roads including three national highways (NH-305, NH-05, and NH-03) still remain blocked, making road connectivity a major challenge. Major problem districts with road connectivity issues include Mandi (192 roads blocked), Kullu (85) and Chamba (29).
In terms of electricity supply, Kullu has reported 543 disrupted transformers and Mandi, 303. Drinking water facilities have also suffered great blows, including 44 nonfunctional schemes from Mandi and 11 in Chamba.
Authorities are working tirelessly for restoring essential services during these rains. "Our teams are working round the clock; however, intermittent landslides, flash floods, and shooting stones are hampering relief efforts," said a spokesperson from HPSDMA.
Officials have warned that with rainfall expected to continue, the risks of further landslides and flash floods remain significant, urging residents to exercise caution.
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