Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 4 (HBTV): Over 37 people have died and property worth more than INR 400 crore has been damaged as torrential rains continue to batter Himachal Pradesh, according to the State Disaster Management Authority.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for the state until July 7.
According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority and the Revenue Department, losses estimated at over INR 400 crore have been recorded due to the incessant monsoon downpours. Search, rescue, and relief operations are ongoing, especially in the worst-hit Mandi district, where multiple roads are blocked and essential services disrupted.
‘We have recorded over INR 400 crore in losses so far, as entered in our system. But the actual damage is likely to be much higher,’ said DC Rana, Special Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority and the Revenue Department. ‘Our primary focus at the moment is on search, rescue, and restoration. Detailed damage assessment will take time,’ he added.
The Thunag subdivision of Mandi remains the worst-affected area, where major restoration efforts are currently in progress.
‘Roads are blocked, electricity and water supply have been hit, and vehicle movement has been severely impacted. Senior officials are stationed there. PWD engineers are overseeing road restoration, while the Director of Operations of the Electricity Board and the Chief Engineer of Jal Shakti are also present in Mandi,’ Rana said.
As per official figures, 37 people have died in rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season. An additional 26 deaths have been reported due to road accidents during this period.
In Mandi district alone, 40 people are reportedly missing, and extensive search operations are underway.
‘A village in Mandi has been devastated. A relief camp has been set up, and food packets were air-dropped yesterday by the Indian Air Force,’ said Rana.
Highlighting the broader environmental concerns, Rana said, ‘These events are a consequence of global warming and climate change. Himachal is not untouched by these impacts.’
Across the state, 250 roads remain closed, more than 500 electricity distribution transformers are non-functional, and around 700 drinking water schemes have been affected.
Along with the State Disaster Management Authority, local administration, police, Home Guards, SDRF, and central agencies including the NDRF are engaged in coordinated response efforts.
Meanwhile, in Shimla, heavy rainfall has severely affected daily life. School children have been among the worst impacted.
Tanuja Thakur, a student from Shimla, shared her experience: ‘It’s raining heavily. Water is entering our classrooms, our clothes and books are soaked. Our teachers are telling us it’s better to stay at home. Whether we attend school or not makes no difference right now because everything is wet and there’s a sense of fear.’
‘Our school is surrounded by trees. There is always a fear that a tree could fall. Thankfully, we are safe for now,’ she added.
The administration continues to monitor the situation closely, with emergency teams on high alert as heavy rainfall is forecast to persist in the coming days.
(ANI)