258 mm rain in 18 hours throws life out of gear in Una

Heavy rain since Friday night lashed all regions of Una district, paralysing normal life and destroying public and private properties worth crores of rupees. The rain began around 1 am and continued unabated for around eight hours. The Una Meteorological Department measured the rainfall at 8 am on Saturday morning at 220 mm, while another 38 mm was recorded by 4 pm.

The overall precipitation of 258 mm is the highest in Una district during the past five decades. According to the Met Department, the highest precipitation of 198 mm in six hours was recorded during the 1988 monsoon that led to floods, warranting the visit of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to assess damages and meet the affected families in Una.

A large number of houses and business establishments were damaged in different parts of the district. As per reports, business establishments in basements were the worst affected. Water entered the old District Courts complex, while the sports complex in the district headquarters turned into a pool.

Fire engines and pumps were pressed into service to drain water at many places. An office of the LPG gas agency in the basement in Una was filled with rainwater, which was pumped out by the Fire Department. Many shops were also inundated while farmers lost standing maize crops.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has directed the district administration to provide immediate relief to the affected families.