Over 60 roads closed; electricity and water supplies interrupted

Himachal Pradesh has been hit hard by incessant rains, resulting in the blockage of over 60 roads across the state. The downpour has caused major disruption in transportation and essential services, with significant impact on several districts. According to the information provided by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) on Sunday, the situation is critical as 31 roads are blocked in Mandi, 13 in Shimla, 10 in Kangra, four in Kinnaur and two in Kullu. In addition, roads are blocked in Una, Sirmaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts.

A major problem is the closure of National Highway 5 at Negulsari in Kinnaur district. This important route, which connects the region with Tibet, is crucial for trade and travel. The closure exacerbates the situation and isolates the affected areas even further. In addition to the road closures, the state is also facing significant disruptions to basic services. The SEOC reported that eleven electricity and one water supply systems were affected, further exacerbating the hardship of residents.

The heavy rains that started on Saturday evening have caused extensive damage. The highest rainfall was recorded in Una with 48 mm, followed by Kufri with 19.8 mm and Sangla with 17.2 mm. Other affected areas include Jubbarhatti and Mandi with 15.6 mm of rain each and Nichar with 14.8 mm.

Despite the recent heavy rains, the state is still battling a rainfall deficit of 21 percent since the onset of the monsoon season on June 27. The state received 522.2 mm of rain against an average of 657.9 mm expected.

The ongoing monsoon season has had a devastating impact: 158 deaths were reported from June 27 to September 7 due to rain-related incidents. In addition, 30 people are still missing. The total loss to the state is estimated at Rs 1,305 million, with significant losses due to landslides, floods and infrastructure damage.

The preliminary damage report of the state disaster management authority painted a grim picture. It highlighted the death toll from cloudbursts, floods, landslides and lightning strikes. The report also mentioned deaths from snakebites, electrocutions and accidents caused by the severe weather conditions. The state witnessed 51 cloudbursts and floods and 40 severe landslides.

Looking ahead, the weather forecast continues to predict light to moderate rainfall in Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Kullu and Sirmaur and isolated showers in other districts.

In response to the massive damage, the state government has requested a special relief package from the central government. So far, financial assistance of Rs 100 million has been provided to help the affected communities. Efforts to restore normalcy and support residents are ongoing as the state continues to grapple with the aftermath of this storm.

Car falls into ravine in Mandi: 3 dead, 1 injured

Three persons were killed and one critically injured on Sunday when their Alto car plunged into a deep ravine in Kanda, Mandi's Balichowki tehsil. Officials reported that the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to plunge into the ravine. Two passengers died at the accident site while a third succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. The survivor is undergoing treatment at a local medical facility. The exact cause of the accident is currently being investigated by the police, who have registered a case.

HRTC bus accident in Pathankot: 1 dead, 12 injured

An HRTC bus travelling from Chamba to Amritsar overturned near Mamoon Cantt, close to the Chamba-Punjab border, on Friday evening, leaving one person dead and 12 injured. The incident took place on the Pathankot-Chamba national highway near Bungal Badhani village. CCTV footage has captured the moment the bus overturned, shattering the front window panes and injuring passengers.

The bus carrying 41 passengers was travelling when the accident occurred. The exact cause is still unknown and the Pathankot police are investigating. The injured have been shifted to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities are working to ascertain the factors that led to this tragic accident.