Rain fury: Govt depts, schools suffer heavy losses in Sirmaur

Torrential rains that lashed Sirmaur district over the weekend have caused widespread damage to infrastructure, public utilities and private property, leaving government departments and villagers with heavy losses.

According to official estimates, the Jal Shakti Department has suffered a loss of Rs 2.04 crore as 44 drinking water and irrigation schemes were disrupted across the district. Paonta Sahib division reported 13 affected schemes, Shillai three, Nahan 24, and Rajgarh reported four schemes affected by the rains.

Many of these schemes remained non-functional on Monday, disrupting water supply to several areas.

The Public Works Department has incurred damages worth Rs 2.24 crore. Forty-four roads were blocked across the district, including seven in Sangrah division, 11 in Nahan, 12 in Rajgarh, six in Paonta Sahib and eight in Sarahan. By Monday evening, 15 roads were restored while efforts were underway to reopen the remaining 29 by Tuesday.

People, too, have suffered considerable losses. In Kamrau tehsil, Deep Ram of Shilla reported damages worth Rs 10,000 to his cowshed, while Jai Prakash of Badli in Dadahu tehsil suffered losses of Rs 30,000 to his cowshed. In Rajgarh subdivision, Ramesh Kumar lost a calf, causing an estimated loss of Rs 5,000.

The Education Department, too, has faced major setbacks, with several school buildings sustaining heavy structural damage. These include Government Senior Secondary School, Malgaav, in Nahan block, Government High School, Jasvi (Ronhat block), Government High School, Deol Tikri (Sarahan block), Government High School, Chau Bhogar (Dadahu block), Government Senior Secondary School, Saindh (Sangrah block), and Government Senior Secondary School, Dharmapur (Rajgarh block). School buildings across the district have suffered damages worth Rs 28.93 lakh.

Officials said restoration work was being carried out on a war-footing to ensure early resumption of essential services.