Nature’s fury in Himachal: 17 dead, over Rs 4k crore damage in heavy rains

Nature’s fury in Himachal: 17 dead, over Rs 4,000 crore damage in heavy rains

Shimla

Nature’s fury caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh has claimed the lives of 17 persons and has caused a loss of over Rs 4,000 crore.

There has been extensive damage to houses, roads, electricity and water supply schemes. The heavy rains over the last 2 days have thrown normal life out of gear in various parts of the state.

Initial estimates suggest that a loss of around Rs 3000 crore to Rs 4000 crore damage has been caused to Himachal.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed the committee headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi to convene a meeting on the issue.

Also Read: Himachal to have enhanced weather monitoring for tribal areas

Sukhu also directed all the Deputy Commissioners to remain vigilant in the next 10 days and provide support to the affected persons.

Sukhu expressed grief over the loss of lives and property caused by the landslides and flash floods and assured of all-out efforts to tackle this situation efficiently.

“Efforts are underway to evacuate around 300 stranded persons in Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts by using helicopters once the weather permits,” he added.

He also directed to make adequate arrangements for accommodation, food, and essential items for affected persons and prepare a State-wise list of stranded tourists.

The Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra has also been halted after six deaths were reported during the pilgrimage.
A government official said relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing to provide relief to the affected people.

“Sukhu is monitoring the situation 24X7 and is giving necessary directions to the concerned officials.

The Mandi administration rescued 6 people who were stranded in a river near Nagwain on late Sunday night,” he added.

60 houses have been evacuated in Pandoh, 10 in Ghraan, 12 in Khaliyar, Purani Mandi, 25 in Bhueli and 6 in Paddal.

29 people stranded at Potato Ground have been safely evacuated by Home Guard jawans at Manali in Kullu district. All possible efforts were being made to provide relief to the people trapped.

Rescue operations have been launched to trace the eight missing local people at Lohardi in Baijnath in Kangra district.

515 labourers have been shifted to safer places due to water logging in the slum area at Lalsingi in Una district.