Shimla, Aug 18(UNI) The unprecedented monsoon rainfall during the last 24 hours wrecked havoc in the state, affecting nine National Highways, including Hindustan-Tibet NH-5, Chandigarah-Manali NH-3 and Mandi-Jogindern Nagaur NH 145, closing about 887 roads and leading to death of 18 people in the state, so far.
The state government Spokesperson claimed that nine people had died in rain-related mishaps in Shimla district, two each in Chamba Kullu, Sirmaur and Solan district and one each in Bilaspur and Lahaul Spiti district.
The deceased included 14 men, four women and one child.
Three more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, rising the death toll to 42 in the state, while 1472 people were reportedly stranded in various places and 534 others were rescued to safer places in the state. 1150 people are stranded in Lahaul Spiti district, after closing down of Manali-Leh highway. In Lahaul Spiti distirctt including National highway 41 road closed down in the last 24 hours.
Similarly, 200 people are stranded in Bilaspur and 120 in Chamba district after closing down of one and 47 roads.
After very heavy rainfall on August 17, 18 and 19, about 19 people lost their lives in the state.
In Shimla district, three each died in Landslides and Flash flood and two when a tree fall down on them and one in cow shed collapse. In Kullu district, one each died after drowning infalted river and in landslides. In Solan district two die when house collapsed.
Additional SP Shimla Mr Parveer Thakur said that One worker belonged to Kashanganj area of Bihar died and six other injured, when a retaining wall of a building cave in Cemetery area of Sanjouli outskirt of this capital town at 0430 hrs this morning.
A landslide buried down a truck at Hartkoti kanchi under Rohru division in Shimla district trapping two person in the rubble.
Police party rescued from the Jubbal and evacuated the victim in which one found dead . Another injured was rushed to Jubbal Hospital , The ill fated truck was on the way to Sawra to load the apple .
In Kullu district, a house collapsed in village Lona Gram Panchayat Bandla near Mehla at 0330 hrs due to landslide and flood, in which a 70-year-old person and a seven-year-old child reported to be trapped, the Spokesperson said.
Huge landslide has taken place due to heavy rains in village Kathalag near Badhaghat in Tehsil Ghumarwin in Bilalspur dirictt.
The houses and belongings of Eight families including animals suffered. All persons have been evacuated.
The animals and belongings in houses are yet to rescue.
Including Nine national highway about 887 road are off in the state. NH-5 disrupted by the landslide at six places and
Chamba-Sahapur NH at three places.
In Shimla zone about 403 road closed due to landslides and rain incudng 130 road in Shimla Circle, 101 in Rohru ,
92 in Nahan, 47 in Rampur, 33 in Solan .other 186 road are closed in Mandi, 184 in Kangra and 105 in Mandi zones.
Government spokesman said that 525 road could be restored after Aug 19, and 85 tomorrow and 227 today . Sofar
PWDs renders loss of Rs 327 Cr owning rain related incidents. Department decided to open the roads on warfooting
618 mechinary were deployed in the state including 25 bulldozer, 363 hired and 158 Department JCB
were pressed to restore the rain affected roads in the state.
Vehicular traffic remained off between Kalka and Shimla at Taradevi following landslides four two hours which was restored
after removing the muck and boulders from the road. NH-5 also reported close at Sanwara between Solan and Parmanoo could not
restored sof ar .
In Chamba district National Highay -154A a portion o f35 mtr long washed away at km . Similarly National Highway -3 between Mandi -Kullu
was closed during the night due to rising of water is above road level at Kahra (Dwada). Mandi - Jogindernagar NH is closed at Maigal due
to landslide. Efforts are on to restore the road in one hour . Similarly Mandi - Rewalsar road is closed due to landslide.
In Mandi and Kullu district water level in Beas is very high as all gates of Pandoh dam are being opened.
The water outflow is 1 lac cusecs was discharged in the down stream. Water is significantly above Kahra point and
NH Mandi - Kullu would remain closed for some more time.
Alternate road via Kataula-Bajaura is open. It was blocked by landslide during the night for some time with tourist vehicles getting stuck.
Many dstrict roads are closed at several places. Beas and its tributory are in spate. No loss of life reported.
In Kullu district Kullu- Manali left bank road is open however Right bank road is blocked near 16 mile due to landslide.
Beyond Manali Rohtang road is closed near Nehru Kunda. District Administration directed the BRO and PWD authorities
to open the road.
Due to heavy rain and the rapid flow of the river, some part of the Valley Bridge at Akhara Bazaar in district Kullu has been damaged.
In Shimla town and suburbs; number of trees have fallen for which machinery has been deployed and additional homeguards
called to bring the situation under control. Road near Churat nallah has caved in and landslide taken place.
Landslide at many other places being got cleared so as to restore traffic.
Under Chopal subdivision at Nerwa - Fediz bridge road disrupted. Power house at Sainj , Kupvi submerged, 5 people rescued.
Under Rohru subdivision 19 link roads blocked, which likely to be restored till this afternoon so that apple transportation does
not suffer.
Vehicular traffic remained of between Rohru- Kotkhai was restored. NH-5 which also closed down below Narkanda due to landslide
and uprooting of trees was restored.
Rainfall will continue over southern parts of the state including Shimla Solan Kinnaur Bilaspur and Mandi during next 4-5 hours.
Rainfall will decrease over northern districts like Chamba kangra una Hamirpur Kullu.
About 126 cattle died in rain-related incidents in the last 24 hours, including 65 in Chamba, 39 in Bilaspur, 11 in Mandi, six in Solan and one each in Himrmpur, Kangra and Shimla.
About 98 houses damaged in the state. Six bridges damaged in the last 24 hours, including two each in Solan and Kullu district, one each in Mandi and Lahaul Spiti.
UNI ML RJ 2045