Monsoon losses cross Rs 4,000 crore in Himachal

The total loss caused by natural disasters triggered by torrential rain during the monsoon has breached the Rs 4,000-crore mark in Himachal Pradesh with the total now reaching Rs 4,080.97 crore.

As per the Revenue Department, the Public Works Department has been hit the worst as the department has suffered a loss of Rs 2,518.54 crore followed by Jal Shakti Vibhag that has suffered a loss of Rs 1,254.92 crore till now. Similarly, the Power Department has suffered a loss of about Rs 139.46 crore.

Till now, at least 203 persons have lost their lives as a result of 136 landslides, 95 flashfloods and 45 cloudbursts that have been reported across the state since the onset of monsoon. Also, as many as 826 roads, including two National Highways, remain blocked across the state for vehicular traffic, affecting the road connectivity in many parts of the state.

As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, as many as 227 roads including NH-3 and 305 are closed in Kullu, 191 in Mandi, 146 in Shimla, 88 in Chamba, 44 in Kangra, 36 in Sirmour, 32 in Una, 22 in Solan, 20 in Bilaspur, 11 in Lahaul and Spiti, six in Kinnaur and three in Hamirpur districts. Also, as many as 1,480 distribution transformers including 811 in Kullu, 202 in Mandi, 171 in Chamba, 145 in Shimla, 142 in Lahaul and Spiti, eight in Solan and one in Kinnaur district are also disrupted, affecting the electricity supply in many areas of these districts.

Furthermore, as many as 336 drinking water supply schemes including 130 in Shimla, 79 in Mandi, 63 in Kullu, 42 in Chamba, 11 in Kangra, seven in Solan and four in Hamirpur district also remain disrupted.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is very likely to continue across Himachal Pradesh as the state’s Meteorological Department has issued a yellow weather warning for nine districts of the state which include Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan and Sirmour districts for September 8, resulting in thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of these districts. As per the department, the state would continue to experience light to moderate rain till September 13.

Yellow alert in nine districts

The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow weather warning for nine districts of the state which include Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan and Sirmour districts for September 8, resulting in thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of these districts