Rain Havoc in Himachal: 468 Roads Blocked, 676 Water Schemes Affected, 1199 Transformers Damaged, Death Toll Reaches 125

Rain Havoc in Himachal: Intense monsoons rains are still battering the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh where it is bringing a screech to important services provided by the government as well as bringing havoc throughout the state. As per the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) number of roads still blocked is 468, the number of water supply schemes affected is 676 and nonfunctional distribution transformers (DTRs) is 1,199 by 10 am of Monday.

The latest data provided by the SDMA on cumulative monsoon season (up to date June 20) reported 125 deaths, including 70 people being engulfed in the rain disaster-related phenomenon involving landslides, flash flooding, electrical shock, and collapse of buildings. At the same time, 55 lives were lost due to road accidents and this has soared due to slippery roads and poor visibility.

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Distincts such as Mandi, Kangra, Kullu and Chamba have mostly suffered damages as far as infrastructural damages are concerned. Mandi is the single contributor with 310 road blockades and 390 transformer malfunctions, and Kangra with the highest number of water schemes stopped with 595 failures as compared to all the other districts.

The SDMA had ensured that the restorative activities are going on but rains are slowing down the progress. Departments of Public Works, Jal Shakti and Power are operating 24X7 in clearing the debris and restoring the connectivity.

Out of those, six of them met the same road accident and were recorded on the same day (July 20), one in Hamirpur, two in Kangra and three in Shimla.

Authorities have requested people to stay away from unnecessary movements, more so in unsafe grounds. Emergency teams are in vigil because there are still some estimates that the monsoon activity will continue in the region.

This is as the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) informed that as at 10 AM today, 468 roads were still blocked, 676 water supply schemes disrupted and 1,199 distribution transformers (DTRs) have failed.

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Two National Highways (NH-21 and NH-154) are also said to have been blocked further compounding the logistical difficulties in the rescue and repair operations.

Trisolar is the worst hit by the break down of infrastructure with 310 roads blocked, 390 transformers failing and 33 road hit in Kullu, 214 power transformers and 39 roads in Chamba and 111 power DTRs and 33 road in Kullu.

Water schemes are the worst affected ones with schemes such as Kangra (595 schemes affected) and Sirmaur (160 affected). The SDMA has clarified that there are efforts towards restoration, and department teams of Public Works, Jal Shakti and Electricity have been working through round- the clock shifts.

Authorities have pointed out that the condition could worsen further should there be more rain in the prediction. Commuters and residents of vulnerable regions are cautioned to be very cautious and stay away of unnecessary travel.

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