72 lives lost due to rain-related incidents

Tribune News Service
Shimla, August 24

As many as 72 persons have lost lives in rain-related incidents and 199 landslides and seven cloudbursts have been reported since July 1. The state has incurred a loss of Rs 862.40 crore.

Landslides and house collapse took 41 lives, two died in cloudburst, one in lightning and four due to heavy rain while 24 drowned. Moderate rain occurred at sporadic places in Himachal and sky remained overcast with Met office predicting rain and thundershowers at isolated places over six days to August 30.

Shimla and its surrounding areas were lashed by sharp showers and the capital received 6 mm rain while Una was the wettest with 18 mm rain, followed by Sangrah 16 mm, Sundernagar 13 mm, Pachhad 12, Rajgarh 9 mm, Dharamsala 7 mm, Shimla and Dalhousie 6 mm, Kasauli 2 mm.

The maximum temperatures rose marginally and Una was the hottest with a high of 33.6 degree. Kalpa and Keylong were the coldest during the night with a low of 12.2 degree and 11.1 degree.

The restoration works are in full swing and 311 roads, including 175 in Mandi zone, 97 in Shimla zone, 25 in Hamirpur zone and 14 in Kangra zone, are still blocked. As many as 142 roads are likely to be opened by tonight while 111 roads tomorrow, PWD officials said.

The region has received 561 mm rain against the normal rainfall of 591.7 mm, a deficit of 5 per cent.

As many as 88, of the 95 roads closed in Chopal subdivision, have been opened and there is no problem in transportation of apple, said DC, Shimla, Amit Kashyap, adding that 210 of the 240 water schemes, which were damaged due to heavy rain, had been restored.