In spite of a new IMD warning of heavy rains through July 18, Himachal Pradesh is still battling to recover from the enormous destruction brought on by cloudbursts and floods since last weekend. 108 fatalities have been reported in the state. According to figures issued on Friday by the Himachal government’s Department of Revenue, the damage in the state is expected to cost approximately Rs 3738.28 crore in financial loss. Himachal Pradesh continues to be the most severely impacted state in North India, and as a result, Union Home Minister Amit authorized the advance release of the second tranche of the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), totaling Rs 180.40 crore.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Central Government has already issued the first tranche of a Central share of Rs 180.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh from SDRF on July 10, 2023, for immediate relief efforts. The MHA stated that “the release of funds will assist State Government in carrying out relief measures for the affected people during the current Monsoon season.”
According to the ministry, the Government of India has given the State Government of Himachal Pradesh all necessary logistical and financial support so that it can effectively handle the situation brought on by the recent flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides in Himachal Pradesh. According to the MHA, the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has already given 27 states their part of the SDRF, totaling Rs 10,031.20 crore, in the fiscal years 2023–2024. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent a total of 11 teams, as well as rescue boats and other tools, to Himachal Pradesh to assist with rescue efforts.
Aside from that, the Ministry added, “Two MI-17V5 helicopters have been sent for an evacuation mission. One Column of 1 PARA SF and 205 Army Aviation Squadron have been deployed at Paonta Sahib. In order to examine the situation and the relief efforts being made by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh on the ground, the Central Government has also established Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs). Beginning on July 17, the IMCT would conduct their fieldwork. In contrast, from June 24 to July 14, 108 people died in Himachal Pradesh as a result of the monsoon storm.
The period from June 24 to July 14 saw 108 fatalities in Himachal Pradesh. The government officials’ statistics showed that 72 deaths were caused by road accidents, fires, drownings, falls from steep rocks, snake bites, electrocution, and other causes, while 36 deaths were caused by landslides, cloudbusts, and flash floods. Due to the enormous destruction brought on by the torrential rains, a financial loss of over 3738.28 crore has also been reported in the state. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Himachal Pradesh is likely to endure severe rain, with the downpour forecast to linger for five days. The next five days are anticipated to see heavy to very heavy rain fall in Uttarakhand, heavy rain fall in Himachal Pradesh, and heavy rain fall in Uttar Pradesh, according to the IMD.
A yellow notice has also been issued for the state by the India Meteorological Department for the subsequent five days. On July 14, the monsoon started to move into Himachal Pradesh. A yellow alert has been issued in Himachal Pradesh for the following five days as a result. Most regions of Himachal Pradesh will experience heavy to extremely heavy rainfall throughout the course of these five days. Landslides, flash floods, falling trees, and stone-firing accidents will also occur, according to the IMD. The constant rain has caused flash floods and landslides, which have caused extensive damage throughout Himachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, substantial rainfall was seen today in Himachal Pradesh in the following districts: Saloni (district Chamba), 12 cm; Kangra Aero, 6 cm; Barthin, 6 cm; and Nagrota Surian, 6 cm. Prior to this, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a total of 40 sorties over the course of the previous 48 hours as part of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in the flood-stricken Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The Ministry of Defence stated in a release that a total of 40 missions were carried out over the course of the previous 48 hours, during which 126 people were rescued and 17 tons of relief supplies were distributed in various locations.
As the monsoon rains continued to batter Himachal Pradesh, the Beas River in the Mandi district is in flood. Moreover, after being shut down yesterday owing to a landslide, vehicular traffic between Chaura and Wangtu has already resumed. According to a tweet from HP Traffic and Railway Police, “The National Highway is open for all vehicular movement from Chaura to Wangtu, but at Wangtu, the National Highway is closed due to a landslide yesterday, as a result of which small vehicles are being diverted from the temporary road of JSW.”
There are blocks on five national highways. There is an obstruction on National Highway 5 (NH 5) between Sakiba and Spilo in District Kinnaur. District Lahaul Spiti is located on a block along National Highway 3 from District Mandi to District Kullu. area Kullu has a block on National Highway 505, which runs from Gramphu to Losar in the Lahaul-Split area. A significant landslide in Mandi has blocked the road. According to a news release from the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority, National Highway 707 in District Sirmaur is closed because to a landslide close to Shilai. While visiting the flood-affected areas of the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, BJP leader JP Nadda and Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Along with other political heavyweights, they were escorted by the former chief minister and leader of the opposition, Jairam Thakur. The BJP President gave the populace assurances that the federal government would provide all the aid required for relief and restoration. “13 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are also stationed there. To assist in the rescue efforts, a MI-17 helicopter has been used. To provide assistance and promote recovery, the Central Government will take whatever action is required, according to Nadda. Nadda also paid a visit to the Panchvaktatra temple, which was submerged in the inundated Beas river, alongside Union Minister Thakur and former Himachal CM Jairam Thakur.
Additionally, the flood-affected parts of Himachal Pradesh, which has been devastated by excessive rains, received aid from air force aircraft. Ashutosh Garg, the Deputy Commissioner for Kullu, stated that the entire district is operating on a war footing when it comes to providing help and rescue efforts. “In the entire district, our relief and rescue efforts are being conducted on a war footing. Over 1800 transformers were impacted by the floods, of which the Electricity Department has repaired 50%. The Kandi-Kataula route, which connects the national highway segment between Manali and Chandigarh, has been reopened to traffic, according to the Kullu Deputy Commissioner.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, intervened directly earlier, and the Resident Commissioner’s office was able to rescue 22 athletes who had become stuck at the inter-state bus terminal (ISBT) in New Delhi due to flooding. Due to the Yamuna River’s rising water levels, flooding was seen at the interstate bus terminal at Kashmere Gate on Thursday. The increase in water level has temporarily halted bus operations, and buses from neighboring states are not being permitted to enter the bus terminal.
In order to compete in the 40th National Junior TaeKwondo Championship from July 7–9 in Shimoga, Karnataka, a team made up of 9 boys, 10 girls, 2 coaches, and 1 manager traveled there. According to officials, the squad returned by train to New Delhi this afternoon. They were stranded at ISBT due to the extensive logging outside the bus terminal. The Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was then reached by one of the coaches, Ashiwini Kumar, who requested assistance over the phone. The CM then promptly ordered Resident Commissioner Meera Mohanty to save the coaches, according to an official statement.
They were then disqualified, and the athletes who had been transported to Himachal Bhawan were subsequently seen by Resident Commissioner and OSD to Chief Minister in New Delhi K S Bashtu. Their safe return to their homes in Himachal Pradesh would be arranged by the state government. As a result, the tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh, which was recuperating from the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak, has received another shock from the recent torrential rain and flooding. A hotelier remarked about how the rain has a negative impact on the travel industry.
“The tourism industry is losing 100% of its revenue. In Shimla, Kasauli, and Manali, I manage hotels. Most of the time, flooding and rain prevent access to the roads. They are terrified, those tourists. After Covid, this is another shock to our tourism industry, according to hotelier Rajinder Singh Thakur. In addition, a Maharashtrian traveler said that the interruption of the Shrikhand Mahadev yatra made him feel fortunate.
Himachal Pradesh has been hammered by heavy rains, which have caused flooding and landslides throughout the state.
