Himachal Pradesh is currently experiencing a significant crisis caused by landslides and cloudbursts resulting from continuous rainfall. These weather-related events have profoundly affected both lives and livelihoods.
On Thursday, the Manali-Leh National Highway (NH-3) was obstructed by a landslide close to the initial snow gallery in Solang Valley. The Border Roads Organisation is actively engaged in clearing the debris to restore traffic.
Vehicles on this route are being redirected through Rohtang Pass.
The Beas River has experienced flooding in Mandi as a result of heavy rainfall. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for additional rainfall in Himachal Pradesh.
Intense rains on Tuesday resulted in flash floods that destroyed 14 bridges, 148 houses, and two shops. According to ANI, 30 individuals have lost their lives thus far due to incidents related to the monsoon. The majority of these deaths have been reported in the Mandi district. Numerous individuals are still unaccounted for, and rescue teams are tirelessly working to locate them.
“The monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 19, and since that date, there has been a consistent record of rainfall. Significant rainfall on June 29 and 30 led to extensive damage. The number of fatalities due to rain-related incidents has approached 30 at this point. Current reports indicate that 34 individuals are missing, with Mandi district being the most severely affected area, where 10 pass away occurred within just two days,” ANI cited DC Rana, Special Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Revenue Department and Disaster Management, as stating.
In the midst of the monsoon chaos, Himachal PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh declared that the state government has established a high-level committee to oversee and investigate all ongoing NHAI projects, particularly those concerning the current excavation work for four-lane highway projects.
