Himachal Pradesh: Dozens dead due to floods havoc in state

There is a danger of flash floods in Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Shimla and Sirmaur districts during the next 24 hours.

Shimla: This time monsoon has wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh. Cloudburst, heavy rains and landslides have caused massive destruction in many areas of the state. Within the last 72 hours, 14 incidents of cloud burst and three incidents of flash flood have been reported in the state.

In Mandi district alone, cloudsburst at 13 places at night, which caused the most loss of life and property.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, "Since the rains have started, 69 people have lost their lives, 37 people are missing, 110 people are injured and there has been a loss of about Rs 700 crore.

Roads and water projects have been damaged, electricity wires and poles have been destroyed, which has caused a lot of damage.

Such havoc has been wreaked in Himachal Pradesh at the beginning of the monsoon itself. Today I also spoke to the Home Minister of the country... Home Minister Amit Shah has said that he will provide us full assistance and a central team is also coming today to assess the damage.

Cloudbursts have been reported at 14 places. We are studying why cloudbursts are happening so much. We have rescued 92 students who were trapped in the Horticulture College.

There are reports of huge losses from all places. The Himachal Pradesh government stands with the disaster-affected families.

We have decided that The affected families will be provided Rs 5000 for living in rented houses... Cabinet members are taking stock of the situation by holding meetings.

So far, 348 people have been evacuated from Mandi district. 154 houses have been completely destroyed here, 31 vehicles have been damaged, 106 cattle sheds and two shops have collapsed, while 14 bridges have been washed away. 165 cattle have also died in this devastation.

The infrastructure of the state has been shaken due to heavy rains and landslides. 246 roads across the state are closed for traffic, including 145 roads in Mandi alone.

36 roads are closed in Kullu, 25 in Sirmaur and 22 in Shimla. Similarly, 404 transformers have stopped working in the state, of which Mandi has the highest number of 353 transformers.

Electricity supply is badly disrupted. Drinking water supply has also been badly affected.

605 drinking water schemes are closed in Mandi, 104 in Hamirpur and 21 in Sirmaur. 784 drinking water schemes are closed in the entire state, due to which people are facing water crisis.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of big floods in the coming days. Orange alert has also been issued for heavy rains in the state from July 5 to July 9.

There is a danger of flash floods in Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Shimla and Sirmaur districts during the next 24 hours.