In the wake of heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, tragic incidents of cloudburst and landslides have claimed the lives of 33 individuals within a span of 24 hours. The state’s Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, confirmed the heartbreaking news and urged citizens to exercise caution during this calamity.
The Solan district witnessed a devastating cloudburst incident, resulting in the loss of seven lives. Subsequently, a landslide struck the Shiv Temple area in Shimla city, claiming the lives of nine individuals. The Fagli area also experienced a landslide, with five casualties reported and 17 individuals successfully rescued from the debris.
In response to the disaster, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to initiate relief and rescue operations. Expressing deep distress over the loss of lives, Shah assured the state of all necessary support.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended his condolences to the affected families and issued advisories to the public. He urged people to stay indoors, avoid approaching rivers and drains, and steer clear of landslide-prone regions. Tourists were requested to refrain from visiting the state during this challenging period.
"प्रदेश में हो रही भारी बारिश के चलते लोगो से अपील"#safetyfirst#HimachalFloods pic.twitter.com/y8wSBL0mTm
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) August 14, 2023
Tragedy struck Shimla city further, as reports indicated that 15 to 20 individuals might be buried beneath the debris of two separate landslides. The Fagli area faced significant damage with houses submerged in mud and slush.
The cloudburst in Mamligh village of Kandaghat subdivision led to the destruction of two houses and a cowshed. However, six people were fortunate to be rescued from the disaster site.
Solan Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Singh, identified the deceased individuals from the Solan cloudburst. The victims were Harnam (38), Kamal Kishore (35), Hemlata (34), Rahul (14), Neha (12), Golu (8), and Raksha (12).
In the face of this tragedy, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took to social media to express his grief and support for the affected families. He assured that the authorities were actively working to provide assistance and aid to those in need.
As heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc in the region, numerous roads have been closed due to the calamity. To ensure the safety of students, all educational institutions in the hill state will remain closed. The Chief Minister personally monitored the situation and directed the administration to focus on road, electricity, and water infrastructure to minimize further disruptions.
Devastated to hear about the loss of 7 precious lives in the tragic cloud burst incident at Village Jadon, Dhawla Sub-Tehsil in Solan District. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families. We share in your pain and sorrow during this difficult time. cont..1
— CMO HIMACHAL (@CMOFFICEHP) August 14, 2023
The Department of Education canceled ongoing examinations for Post Graduate classes in light of the severe conditions. The Indian Meteorological Department attributed the heavy rains to a fresh Western Disturbance, causing widespread damage in Himachal Pradesh and neighboring Uttarakhand.
The weather department predicted the persistence of moderate to heavy rainfall across the state, with extremely heavy rainfall expected in certain districts. The loss of lives, along with the extensive damage to property and infrastructure, has led to a staggering estimated loss of Rs 7020.28 crore.
The monsoon season’s toll in Himachal Pradesh stands at 257 lives lost, with 66 fatalities due to landslides and flash floods. Officials reported 191 lives lost in road accidents and other incidents, while 32 individuals remain missing.
The state grapples with the aftermath of 90 landslides and 55 flash flood incidents. The damage encompasses over 1,376 houses and 7,935 partially damaged houses, along with disrupted electricity and water supply schemes.
In this time of crisis, the people of Himachal Pradesh are urged to heed safety advisories and cooperate with authorities to mitigate the effects of the ongoing natural calamity.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
