Himachal Pradesh, August 14, 2023 – Monsoon fury has unleashed its wrath upon Himachal Pradesh, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. In the span of two days, at least 50 lives have been claimed by the relentless rains, with a tragic incident involving a temple collapse in Shimla leading to the loss of nine lives. The state is grappling with incessant downpours that have caused landslides, road closures, and significant damage.
The catastrophic events unfolded as a landslide struck a Shiv Temple in Shimla city, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine individuals. A cloudburst in Solan late the previous night claimed the lives of seven members of a family. Additionally, reports indicate that 15 to 20 individuals are feared trapped in the debris of two separate landslides within Shimla city. Rescue efforts are underway to locate and free the trapped individuals.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has mobilized resources to provide support and assistance to the affected families. With heavy rain predicted to persist for the coming days, the Chief Minister has issued advisories urging residents to stay indoors and avoid venturing into landslide-prone areas. Tourists have also been advised to refrain from visiting the state during this period of crisis.
The deluge has taken a toll on infrastructure, with over 700 roads closed due to landslides triggered by the incessant rainfall. A significant stretch of the National Highway connecting Shimla and Chandigarh has been severely impacted by recurring landslides, stranding numerous vehicles along the route.
Educational institutions, including schools and colleges, remain closed due to safety concerns. Ongoing Post Graduate examinations have been canceled to ensure the well-being of students amid the adverse weather conditions.
The Indian Meteorological Department attributes the heavy rains to a fresh Western Disturbance, affecting both Himachal Pradesh and neighboring Uttarakhand. The weather office has issued warnings of extremely heavy rain in nine of the state’s districts, with a yellow alert in place for Tuesday.
The financial toll of this year’s relentless monsoon stands at a staggering ₹7,000 crore, according to official reports. The state administration has documented the damage to 1,376 houses and partial damage to 7,935 houses due to the ongoing monsoon havoc.
This onslaught of monsoon-related disasters has been ongoing since June 24, resulting in the loss of over 260 lives in Himachal Pradesh alone. As rescue and relief efforts continue, the state battles to overcome the challenges brought forth by nature’s fury.
Sources By Agencies
