Himachal Pradesh: Six more die as monsoon rains cause havoc, toll now 54

More than 60 rain-related incidents were reported from various parts of the state, leaving six people died, three missing and 281 stranded, as most of the roads, bridges and highways were under water.

The overall toll due to the rain havoc has gone up to 54 in the state, while 96 persons are injured, a state government official said.

Chief Minister hakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in view of the forecast for inclement weathe, the state government has alerted the district administrations concerned for safety measures and apprise the general public of the same.

He also appealed to the people to avoid going near the rivers and ditches and remain alert because of the ongoing adverse weather conditions. He also urged the public to cooperate with the district administration and abide by the advisories issued by the authorities.

All government and private educational institutions recognised by the state government will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, he said.

So far, 31 houses, 21 roads, five bridges, three vehicles and one hotel have been damaged following extremely heavy rains over the past few days. The state disaster management authority said that a number of people stuck in the damaged houses and flooded places are being rescued and evacuated.

The state Government has requisitioned the National Disaster Response Force.

Five persons died in two different landslide and flash floods in Shimla district. There are reports of washing down of five bridges including Brua Khad, Tehsil Sangla in Kinnuar, Akhara, & Patlikul Nagar bridge in Kullu, Solan-Tikkari. The reports said the Jhijadiwala brige between Nalagarh and Swarghat and Chabba-Shiakara bridge on the Sutlej river between Shimla and Mandi have been damaged.

The state has recorded five incidents of cloudburst or heavy rainfall, 20 landslides, 17 flashflood and two fires. Besides 15-20 incidents of water logging.

Among the major roads, Mandi-NH--3 is blocked at several places between Mandi to Kullu due to the washing down of a major road in Kullu along the Beas River. Most of the 12000 roads in the state are affected by the landslides and flash flood.

Due to the rise in silt levels in the Giri river, water supply have been suspended. There are fears that the high water turbidity could affect the water supply of Shimla in the next few days.

The flash floods and increasing silt levels are also likely to affect the electricity supply in the state over the next 24 hours as the flood gates of most of the dams of hydel power projects have either been opened or are being opened.

Water of Satluj River also flooded the Chaba power project buit by the Britishers in 1924.

Special advisories have been issued by the district administrations before releasing water. Due to opening of flood gates of Pandoh dam in Mandi district stranded many people. Reports arriving here said that nine people stranded in the Beas river were evacuated by team of NDRF from Kullu district.

(With UNI Inpiuts)