Himachal Pradesh Faces Devastation from Heavy Rain and Flash Floods
In a recent visit to flood-hit areas of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu personally checked on the damage caused by recent flash floods and cloudbursts. The district has experienced significant destruction, with homes, roads, and bridges damaged across several regions.
The Chief Minister flew from Jubbarhatti Airport near Shimla in a Indian Air Force helicopter, bringing essential supplies like food and medicines to those in need. During his visit, he toured affected sites such as Vashisth Chowk, Manali, Bahang, and Old Manali. He also visited Akhara Bazaar in Kullu, where landslides buried homes, sadly resulting in some fatalities.
Expressing sympathy to the families who lost loved ones, Sukhvinder Sukhu called for faster rescue and relief efforts. He directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to repair the damaged roads quickly and examined the destruction at key bridges like Bhootnath and Bhuntar.
The Chief Minister told reporters that this year’s monsoon season has brought widespread destruction in Himachal Pradesh, causing loss of life and damage to property across the state. Rainfall has continued over the past four days, worsening the situation in many areas.
The Himachal government has been working tirelessly to support those affected. They have involved Indian Air Force helicopters, including Chinook and MI-17, to rescue stranded devotees during the famous Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district. More than 600 pilgrims were safely airlifted from Bharmour to Chamba and then sent home by free buses arranged by the government.
Due to ongoing bad weather and risky road conditions, the government has also decided to cancel all exams in the state until further notice to ensure safety.
This flooding and heavy rain have shown the severe impact of nature’s fury in Himachal Pradesh. The authorities and relief teams are doing their best to aid affected families and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
