Shimla, Aug 18 (UNI) With Himachal Pradesh witnessing the highest-ever single day rainfall on Sunday, at least 18 people lost their lives in rain-related accidents, while hundreds were left stranded at several places.
The state on Sunday received average 102.5 mm rainfall, breaking all records of highest rain in a single day in the last 70 years, due to vigorous Western Disturbance, the India Meteorological Department said.
Solan received 114.2 mm, Shimla 104.8 mm, Hamirpur 134.7mm, Kangra 79 mm, Una 147.7mm, Mandi 98 mm, Kullu 85.9 mm, Chamba 68.1 mm, Lahaul Spiti 50 mm and Kinnaur 25.2 mm.
Eight people had reportedly died in this capital district alone, he said, adding that two people each have lost their lives in Chamba, Kullu, Sirmour and Solan districts, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Sunday.
Apart from this, one person each died in Bilaspur and Lahaul & Spiti districts, Mr Thakur said.
Most of the roads, as well as National Highways passing through the state were closed due to blockages.
Around 1,472 people are reportedly stranded in various places while 534 rescued to safer places. Lahaul & Spiti district, 1,150 people were stranded due to close down of Manali-Leh highway. Similarly 200 people are stranded in Bilaspur and 120 in Chamba.
The Kalka-Shimla train was put on halt, due to landslides at railway tracks.
Shimla and Sirmaur district administration decided to keep all educational institutions close on Monday.
Landslides
Due to a landslide at Chaura-maidan near RTO office in Shimla, a house collapsed, trapping a family of four in the debris. The mother died on the spot while their two daughters declared brought dead at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla.
The deceased were identified as Vishakha (15), Divya (18) and Krishna (age not known). Hari Das (46), father, is stable and undergoing treatment.
In Narkhand area, a tree fell on a shed housing Nepali citizens. Two persons, identified as Arjun Bhudha (19) and San Bahadur (52), died in the mishap. Five others were injured and undergoing treatment, Shimla Superintendent of Police Om Pati Jamwal informed.
In outskirts of Sanjouli area, a wall of a building collapsed, killing a person, while injuring six others. The deceased was identified as Shah Alam, resident of Bihar, Additional SP of Shimla Praveen Thakur said.
A landslide buried a truck at Hartkoti Kanchi under Rohru division, trapping two people in the rubble. In the mishap, a person was killed, while another injured.
A woman was buried alive, after a cow shed collapsed at Sujjan village of Shimla. The deceased was identified as Devki, wife of an employee of All India Radio, Shimla.
A laborer died after a landslide hit a temporary shed at Bhatakufar near Dingubawari outskirt of this capital town.
Precaution
Tourists have been advised to stay away from river beds.
The state has suffered a loss of about Rs 490 crore during this monsoon season, Mr Thakur informed.
Lahaul & Spiti district has witnessed untimely snow on Saturday and Sunday morning due to which heavy damages had been reported to crops.
The meteorological department has issued a "red" warning for Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur, "orange" warning in Una and Hamirpur district and "yellow" warning in Chamba, Kullu, Kinnuar and Sirmaur.
The movement of all the up and down trains came to a halt on Kalka-Shimla railway section following triggering of landslides at different places on Sunday.
Large number of internal link roads, including state highways Solan, Kunihar, Arki Bhararigaht, Kunihar – Ramshahar, Solan- Patta Mehlog, Banlagi – Goela, have been blocked.
Hindustan-Tibet NH 5, Chandigarah-Manali NH 3 and ten other national highway, 887 other roads were closed down.
PWDs rendered a loss of Rs 327 crore owning rain related incidents.
In Mandi and Kullu districts, water level in Beas River was running high, as all gates of Pandoh dam were being opened. Over one lakh cusecs of water was discharged in the downstream.
Around 126 cattle had died in rain-related incidents, so far, he added.
UNI Team PS RJ 2024