9 dead, roads damaged, power snapped as Himachal battles monsoon fury
Incessant rain triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of Himachal Pradesh, resulting in at least nine deaths and extensive damage to roads, public
Incessant rain triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of Himachal Pradesh, resulting in at least nine deaths and extensive damage to roads, public infrastructure and other properties, as the southwest monsoon covered the northern state. The monsoon-related fatalities included one death each in Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts, three in Kangra district and two in Shimla district. Besides these, two rain-related road accidents were reported from Kangra and Lahaul and Spiti districts. Read Full Story As per the latest estimate, the total losses amount to Rs 69.65 lakh. The continuous rain triggered multiple incidents of landslides, flash floods and other rain-related hazards, resulting in more than 50 roads being blocked, over 180 electricity transformers becoming non-functional and 27 drinking water supply schemes being disrupted across the state, according to an official bulletin.
Transportation was worst affected in Kullu district, with at least 18 roads damaged. Three stretches of NH-13 near Potin and Hoj were also blocked by landslides, leaving several people stranded. In Keyi Panyor district, five people, including a 13-year-old boy, went missing after a landslide, which also injured 17 others and damaged at least 18 residential units, according to officials. Search and rescue operations are currently underway and those critically injured have been shifted to hospitals. In the same district, an under-construction retaining wall collapsed due to the heavy downpour, leading to waterlogging in low-lying residential areas in and around the colony. At least 18 residential units were damaged in the incident. According to senior police officers, six districts such as Keyi Panyor, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri, Kamle and Upper Subansiri have been cut off due to monsoon-related disruptions triggered by heavy rain.
Major landslides were reported along the Kimin-Ziro route, while damage assessment is underway. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has intensified restoration work and connectivity through the Kimin route is expected to be restored by Thursday afternoon, Mehta said. The Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed and rescue efforts are underway along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and other agencies. All available reserve personnel and vehicles within the Yazali jurisdiction have been mobilised and e servicemen have also been called in to support emergency operations. As a precautionary measure, the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) has begun releasing water from the reservoir of the Panyor Lower Hydropower Project. Power generation at the project has been temporarily suspended. Meanwhile, weather officials said the southwest monsoon has now covered the entire state of Himachal Pradesh and is expected to remain active over the coming weeks, with intermittent spells of heavy rain likely across several districts.
The BriefWire