Himachal Pradesh: 56 people still missing after cloudburst, death toll reaches 19, 370 rescued safely

The death toll in the cloudburst disaster in Himachal Pradesh has risen to 19. The number of missing people in Mandi district has increased from 34 to 56. Of these, the highest number of 46 people are from Seraj region. Eight people died in Thunag, six in Gohar, one in Karsog, two in Kangra, one each in Naidun and Jogindernagar. 370 people have been rescued. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has sought the help of the Air Force for rescue and disaster relief after conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas of Mandi. 16 people are missing in Thunag of Seraj, 18 in Pakhrair, 7 in Jarol, 4 in Chiuni and one in Pandavashila. Six people have died while eight are missing in Syanj and Bara Parwada of Gohar sub-division. One has died in Karsog sub-division. While two people are missing. Roads have collapsed in Thunag and Janjheli sub-divisions due to cloudburst and landslide. NDRF, SDRF and administration teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations in many areas.

63 people have died so far in the monsoon season

More than 100 roads are still blocked in the state due to cloudburst and heavy rain-landslide on Monday night. According to government figures, 154 houses, 106 cow shelters, 14 bridges have collapsed in Mandi. 31 vehicles have been damaged. 164 cattle have died. Hundreds of electricity transformers and drinking water schemes are stalled in the state. About 250 tourists stranded in Banjar valley of Kullu have been safely evacuated. According to government figures, during this monsoon season from 20 June to 2 July, 63 people have died due to disaster in the state. 109 people have been injured and 40 are missing. 13 concrete and 44 kutcha houses also collapsed. 179 cow shelters have been damaged. A total loss of Rs 40,702.43 lakh has been incurred. At the same time, 26 people have died in road accidents.

Alert for heavy rain in the state for a week, orange alert for these districts

According to the Meteorological Center Shimla, there is an alert of heavy rain continuing in the state till July 9. Yellow alert has been issued for July 3,4,8 and 9. While orange alert for heavy rain has been issued in many parts from July 5 to 7. There is an orange alert for heavy rain on different days in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts. In such a situation, people have been asked to be cautious. It has been advised to stay away from rivers, streams, landslide-sensitive places. Also, it has been asked to plan your journey according to the weather conditions. There is a possibility of moderate flooding in some catchment areas and neighbourhoods of Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Shimla and Sirmaur districts during the next 24 hours. During the last 24 hours, 133.3 mm rain was recorded in Pachhad, 92.0 mm in Mahere Barsar, 59.4 mm in Jubbarhatti, 56.0 mm in Jaton Barrage, 55.2 mm in Una, 55.0 mm in Baijnath, 42.5 mm in Nahan, 42.2 mm in Brahmani, 37.5 mm in Baggi, 35.2 mm in BBMB, 34.6 mm in Murari Devi, 32.6 mm in Kangra and 29.1 mm in Sarahan. Heavy rain is still going on in Shimla today.

Houses in danger due to landslide in Lindidhar village

Manali-Leh road closed for traffic due to heavy landslide near the first snow gallery, some distance from Solanganala. Due to heavy rains caused by cloudburst, the drain flowing near the snow gallery overflowed. Due to this, a large amount of debris has come on the road. DSP Manali KD Sharma said that the Border Roads Organisation has been asked to restore traffic. At the same time, landslides in Lindidhar village in Shimla’s Dhali have posed a threat to houses. Here the pillar of the under-construction four-lane has collapsed. The debris is continuously sliding downwards towards the village.

3,698 projects of Jal Shakti Department damaged: Mukesh

Due to heavy rains and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, 3,698 projects of Jal Shakti Department have been damaged so far. These include 2,786 water supply, 733 irrigation and 41 sewerage projects. The department has so far assessed a loss of about Rs 240 crore. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has said that in view of the seriousness of the situation, instructions have been given to the Jal Shakti Department to take immediate action. The department has started restoration work on a war footing. The department has been instructed to restore drinking water and sewerage services on priority basis. So far, 1,591 water supply projects have been temporarily restored.

Alternative route washed away in Dhaneta, traffic halted

Due to the rain that started late at night, the alternative route built for the under-construction bridge at a distance of about 200 meters from the market on the Mahere-Dhaneta road was washed away due to the rising water level of the drain. Due to continuous rain, the drain water washed away the alternative route here on Thursday morning. Traffic came to a complete halt. Pedestrian movement is taking place on the under-construction bridge but vehicular movement has stopped.