Heavy monsoon rains have battered Himachal Pradesh since June 20, claiming 448 lives in total, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of those, 261 people died from rain-related disasters like landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, and electrocution. Another 187 lost their lives in road accidents amid the state’s tricky hilly terrain.
The SDMA’s latest report, covering up to September 21, paints a grim picture beyond the human tragedy. The storms wrecked homes, farms, roads, and more, with total damages topping Rs 4,841.79 crore. In rain-linked deaths, landslides killed 53 people, drowning took 41 lives, cloudbursts claimed 18, and electrocution ended 20. Other incidents, such as house collapses and falls from steep slopes, added 47 more fatalities.
Mandi and Chamba districts suffered the most from these rain disasters, each seeing over 40 such deaths. On the roads, Chamba and Mandi each reported 24 accident deaths, while Shimla and Solan had 25 apiece. Kangra logged 22, and even smaller Kinnaur counted 15 road fatalities during the period.
The destruction hit families hard, displacing thousands. The report notes 663 houses fully damaged, 1,046 partially ruined, and 2,340 cowsheds wiped out. More than 29,000 animals died, including over 26,000 poultry birds. Agriculture and horticulture sectors took a major blow, alongside private properties.
Public infrastructure fared no better. Roads and bridges under the Public Works Department suffered Rs 2,981.13 crore in damage. Water supply schemes lost Rs 1,463.85 crore worth, and power systems saw Rs 139.46 crore in hits. Schools, health centers, and other key facilities also endured severe impacts from the Himachal Pradesh floods and landslides.
Restoration crews are racing against time to fix the mess, but with rains lingering, officials warn of more potential landslides and flash floods. The state stays on high alert to save lives and get essential services back online, the SDMA added.
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