Himachal’s monsoon losses cross Rs 1,100 crore; 98 roads remain blocked

The total loss caused by torrential rain during the ongoing monsoon season has reached Rs 1,121.12 crore, as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc across the state. According to Department of Revenue, Public Works Department (PWD) has been hit the hardest, having suffered a total loss of Rs 836.78 crore so far. Similarly, the Jal Shakti Vibhag has suffered a loss of Rs 258.61 crore, while Power Department has incurred a loss of Rs 5.3 crore.

Additionally, as many as 98 roads continue to remain blocked across the state after being damaged by heavy rains. According to State Emergency Operation Centre, of the total blocked roads, 42 are in Mandi, 31 in Kullu, eight in Kangra, five in Sirmaur, four each in Shimla and Una, two in Chamba and one each in Bilaspur and Lahaul-Spiti.

Apart from this, 89 transformers and 42 drinking water supply schemes are also disrupted across the state. Of these, 44 transformers are disrupted in Mandi, 31 in Hamirpur, 11 in Shimla and three in Kangra. Similarly, of the total disrupted water schemes, 30 remain disrupted in Hamirpur, seven in Bilaspur, four in Shimla and one in Kangra.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is very likely to continue across the state till August 28. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain normal, while maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during this period.

The weather was mostly dry across the state during the past 24 hours, with light rain reported at isolated places. Dharamsala received 68.2 mm of rain, Kangra 51 mm, Sundernagar 33 mm, Nahan 20.5 mm, Mandi 12.6 mm and Bilaspur 7 mm.