Shimla: Most parts of the state including Himachal Pradesh’s capital Shimla are cloudy on Tuesday. However, it also rained at some places last night. The Meteorological Department has predicted that the monsoon will remain active in the state till August 18. During this time, a yellow alert of heavy rain has been issued in the plains and mid-mountain areas. The department has predicted flood threat in five districts Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur and Shimla during the next 24 hours. There is a possibility of flood in these districts. In view of the warning of the Meteorological Department, the administration has advised people to stay away from rivers, streams and landslide prone areas. Two days ago, floods wreaked havoc in Una and Sirmaur districts.
Due to the widespread rainfall in the state in the last one week, the water level of rivers and streams has increased and incidents of landslides are being reported at many places. According to the State Disaster Management Authority, two national highways and 197 roads are blocked in the state due to landslides. Apart from this, 211 electricity transformers and 143 drinking water projects are also stalled. The maximum 66 roads are closed due to landslides in Shimla district. Movement is disrupted on 58 roads in Sirmaur, 33 in Mandi, 26 in Kullu, five in Kinnaur, four each in Kangra and Lahaul-Spiti. Apart from this, National Highway-305 in Kullu and National Highway-5 in Kinnaur are also stalled. Talking about electricity transformers, 118 transformers have been damaged in Una, 45 in Mandi, 34 in Kullu, six in Hamirpur, four in Solan, three in Chamba and one in Kinnaur. Due to heavy rains, 60 drinking water projects have been disrupted in Bilaspur. Similarly, 33 drinking water projects have come to a standstill in Shimla, 29 in Kullu, seven in Lahaul-Spiti, 11 in Sirmaur, two in Una and one in Chamba.
The damage caused by rain, landslides and floods in the last 47 days of the monsoon season in the state has reached Rs 1000 crore. According to the report of the State Emergency Operations Center, the Public Works Department has suffered a loss of 436 crores, Jal Shakti Department 403 crores and Horticulture Department 139 crores. During the monsoon, 194 people died and 33 are missing in rain-related accidents. Apart from this, 328 people have been injured. Due to cloudburst, floods and landslides, 108 houses, 26 shops and 237 cattle sheds were destroyed across the state, while 264 houses have suffered partial damage.
