Rs 1,247 cr loss & counting, Himachal Pradesh bears monsoon brunt

Natural disasters triggered by torrential rains have caused Himachal Pradesh an accumulative loss of Rs 1,247.34 crore since the onset monsoon this year.

As heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc across the state, as many as 378 roads, including three national highways, remain closed for vehicular traffic.

As per the Revenue Department, the Public Works Department has borne the brunt with a loss of Rs 552.27 crore, followed by the Jal Shakti Vibhag (Rs 453.69 crore) and the Power Department (Rs 139.46 crore) since June 20.

As many as 255 roads in Mandi district, 78 in Kullu, 13 in Shimla, 11 each in Kangra and Sirmour, three in Una and one each in Chamba and Lahaul and Spiti remain closed for traffic.

As many as 326 distribution transformers, including 201 in Mandi and 113 in Kullu have been damaged, while 314 water supply schemes, including 63 in Chamba and 62 in Mandi districts have faced disruptions.

Heavy rain at isolated places and light to moderate rain at most places continued across the state during the past 24 hours. Amb in Una district received 90 mm rain, the highest in the state, followed by Bharari in Hamirpur (70 mm) and Kasauli (44 mm).135 deaths so far

The death toll has risen to 135 this monsoon, with 76 fatalities being directly attributed to rain-related incidents, including landslides, flashfloods and cloudbursts, and 59 caused by road accidents, the State Emergency Operation Centre has said.