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At least five people were killed as torrential rain continued to lash Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, causing floods and landslides, leading to the washing away of roads and bridges.
All schools and colleges in the state have been shut for two days starting Monday in view of the damage caused by the rain to several roads and highways. More than 800 roads, including six national highways, were shut across the state.
The Aut Bridge, an iconic 50-year-old structure connecting Kullu, Banjar, Luhri, and Rampur, was washed away by the swift current of the Beas River in Mandi district.
#WATCH | A bridge connecting Aut-Banjar washed away as Beas river flows ferociously in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh
(Video confirmed by police) pic.twitter.com/q9S8WSu96Z
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2023
According to the state’s emergency operation centre, 13 landslides and nine instances of flash floods took place in the state in the past 36 hours. Mandi, Kullu, and Lahaul and Spiti are the districts to have been severely affected by rain, leading to significant damage to both public and private property.
The Larji hydroelectric project, located along the Beas River, has been affected by flooding, with water entering the powerhouse. As a precautionary measure, the project’s power supply has been temporarily disconnected.
In response to the heavy overnight rainfall, authorities of Pandoh Dam opened the floodgates to release excess water. Consequently, the water level of the Beas river has risen significantly, surpassing the danger mark.
At Panevalli village in Shimla district, a family lost three members when debris fell on their house. Landslides also claimed the lives of a woman in Lankadbeer village, Kullu, and another person in Kakkiyan, Chamba.
The Pulga area of the Manikaran Valley in Kullu district suffered severe devastation when a cloudburst occurred on Sunday afternoon. In Lahaul-Spiti, a landslide caused the closure of the road leading to Chandratal Lake, leaving approximately 200 people stranded. The district administration is working towards evacuating them safely.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Several cars washed away in floods caused by heavy rainfall in the Kasol area of Kullu
(Source: Video shot by locals, confirmed by Police) pic.twitter.com/61WsXg08QN
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2023
Train services on the Kalka-Shimla heritage route and the Ambala-Una track have also been suspended. Various homes, shops, and cow shelters in different parts of the state have suffered damage.
Una recorded 230 millimetres of rain the past 24 hours, BBMB Bilaspur got 220 mm, Rohru 190 mm, Kasauli and Kaahu 170 mm, and Shri Naina Devi 160 mm.
View of a car swept away in the water after flash floods occurred due to heavy monsoon rainfall, in Una district, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (PTI)
District administrations are on high alert. The Mandi District Disaster Management Authority, headed by Chairman and District Magistrate Arindam Chaudhuri, held a meeting with officials on Sunday to review the situation caused by heavy rainfall in the district.
Chaudhuri said that as per information until 10 am Sunday, 173 roads in the district were closed, and that efforts were underway to reopen them as soon as possible. The meteorological department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall in the district for the next 24 hours.
Assessment of damage and relief operations are being carried out with the assistance of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force.
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