E-Paper
Monsoon fury claims 20 lives in five days in Himachal
While Hamirpur and Mandi have reported three deaths each, two people have lost their lives in each of Chamba and Solan; Kangra, Kullu and Una have reported one death each
Himachal Pradesh has recorded 20 deaths in five days after onset of monsoon on June 24. The monetary losses in the state are being pegged at ₹220 crore.
Shimla is the worst hit as seven deaths have been reported in the district.
While Hamirpur and Mandi have reported three deaths each, two people have lost their lives in each of Chamba and Solan. Kangra, Kullu and Una have reported one death each.
Of all the deaths, nine people have lost their lives in road accidents and six have fallen prey to drowning. Various rain-related incidents, such as landslides and falling from heights, have claimed the remaining five lives, as per the data released by State Emergency Operation Cell of disaster management authority. Two people are still reported missing and 36 have received injuries.
Jal Shakti Department has suffered the maximum losses, pegged near ₹100.97 crore due to damage to 1,318 drinking water supply and irrigation schemes across the state.
Losses to the Public Works Department are estimated at ₹90.50 crore and Horticulture Department has suffered losses of approximately ₹26.22 crore.
Over 350 cattle have perished amid monsoon rains. As many as five houses have been completely damaged, along with two shops. A total of 39 houses have been partially damaged and 21 cow-sheds collapsed in the five days of monsoon rains.
More than 8,000MT fruit crops have been damaged in the monsoon fury and 10 major landslides and one cloudburst was reported in the state during the period.
As per the data, 21 roads remain blocked and 33 water supply schemes are affected. The weather department has forecast rains till July 3.
“However, the intensity of the monsoon has weakened and light to moderate rainfall is likely to occur,” said Surender Paul, director of Indian Meteorological Department’s Shimla centre.
On Thursday, the state received light rainfall. Kufri was the wettest with 13mm rainfall, followed by 11mm at Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur.
Nahan recorded 7.4mm rain, Berthin 6.5mm and Kangra saw 5 mm rain. The weather was reported as dry but cloudy in other areas of the state.
