Himachal Pradesh’s monsoon havoc has claimed 173 lives, of which 95 deaths were due to landslides, flash floods, and house collapses. The remaining 78 have occurred in road accidents, due to slippery terrain and poor visibility. The monsoon mayhem has further led to 83 roads being blocked, with 747 power distribution transformers being out of service, and 249 water supply schemes disrupted, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
The situation has worsened over the past few days. National highways NH-305, NH-505, NH-21, and NH-03 have become impassable due to landslides and debris. In the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti, NH-505 is closed near Chhatru. Meanwhile, NH-305 in Kullu is shut at Jhed (Khanag), leaving the entire valley cut off for the second consecutive day. Additionally, some interior roads in districts like Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, and Una are still inaccessible, making rescue and repair efforts difficult.
Hydroelectric projects shut down
In a recent development, a cofferdam at the Malana-I hydroelectric project in Kullu’s Parvati Valley collapsed on Friday after debris blocked drainage pipes. The water swept downstream, taking heavy machinery with it. This project was also severely affected by a flash flood last year.
Several dams are currently on high alert, including the Bajoli Holi and Baira dams in the Ravi basin, as well as the Sainj and Largi barrages on the Beas River. All of these facilities have stopped power generation due to unusually high silt content in the water. The Malana-II dam in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, is non-operational, with its gates left open after a significant water surge on Friday. However, officials reassured the public on Saturday at 5 pm that all reservoir levels were within permissible limits.
Meanwhile, the Una district experienced heavy flooding overnight due to over 222 mm of rain, making roads, homes, and markets inaccessible. Consequently, schools in the area have been closed, and residents have been advised to stay away from the overflowing rivers.
Majorly affected areas
The districts most damaged by the monsoon in terms of public utility are:
Chamba: 89 roads blocked, 171 DTRs down, 93 water schemes disrupted.
Kullu: 67 roads blocked (including NHs), 188 power feeders disrupted.
Mandi: 181 roads blocked, 82 power lines down, 186 water schemes affected.
Una: 3 roads blocked, 205 DTRs hit, 26 water schemes affected.
While authorities have managed temporary repairs for some irrigation and sewerage systems, they’ve stated that full restoration will likely take time due to the ongoing challenging weather. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is actively monitoring the situation and collaborating with local administrations to coordinate relief and restoration efforts.
(With ANI Inputs)