Normal life disrupted in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rains and landslides

• Red Alert warnings in 6 districts

• 662 roads closed including 4 National highways

• Great monetary loss because of landslides

• In one week an average of 291% more rain has been recorded

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) – There has been heavy economic loss and also loss of lives because of the numerous landslides caused by the heavy rains. For the past 24 hours there has been heavy rains in and around the Shimla region; the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

1. 6 districts of the state have been warned of a red alert because of the bad weather conditions in the state. Instructions have been given to keep all educational institutions closed in the 9 districts; namely Shimla, Solan, Sirmour, Bilaspur, Kulu, Chamba, Kangra, Unna, and Hamirpur.

2. In Janga area of Shimla, a landslide caused the demolition of a house in which Virendra Kumar (age 35 years) and his 10 years old daughter died as they were crushed under the rubble of the house. When this happened, his wife was not in the house and hence fortunately she was saved. An old woman died in another incident of a landslide in Chol village in Kotkhai.

3. Rains have caused the State’s 662 roads including 4 National Highways to be closed. Communication is stopped there is no electricity in some places and there is disruption in water distribution. About 985 electricity transformers and 495 drinking water units have been shut down.

4. According to the weather bureau in the period between 24 to 31 August Himachal Pradesh has received 291% more than the average rainfall. Chamba district received 589%, Kulu 458%, Shimla 349% and Lahol-Spiti 369% more rain. Considering the entire month of August Himachal has received 440mm of rain, which is 72% more than the its average.

5. Because of landslides in Hilly areas caused vehicles and buses to be crushed under the stones and rubble of the hills. While an electric pole fell on a four-wheeler. Luckly the driver was unhurt.

6. Flood like situation in the state as the water level of the rivers rose because of the heavy rains. 1 lakh cusec water had to be released from the Ponga dam in Kangra district.

7. 2 persons were stranded in Kulu districts Naggar Nala, they were successful rescued; but 32 people including women are taking shelter in Trilokinath temple as the roads in the Pangi area are closed. There is a danger of the hills coming down on the houses in many villages and incidents of landslides are also happening.

8. The administration has asked the citizens to be alert and appealed to them to avoid unnecessary travel. The work rescue and reconstruction is going on but there is little possibility of situation of returning to normal until there is reduction in the rainfall.