Old Hindustan-Tibet NH-5 & NH-305 disrupted: Monsoon continue wreaking havoc in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, July 27
According to the Kinnuar district administration, a cloudburst in the past 24 hours caused severe damage to the old Hindustan-Tibet National Highway-5 and NH-305 between Luhri and Aut. Reports indicate that NH-5 is blocked in Barauni and Manglad of Jhakhri, and NH-305 between Luhri and Aut is also blocked at three locations. This has cut off vehicular traffic and communication with the Kinnuar district and many areas in Ani, Kullu, and Seraj Valley of Mandi district. The administration reported that all alternative routes were already blocked.
As Monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, it is resulting in a rising death toll and extensive damage to livestock, private and public properties, and disruption of road and communication services.
In Sarpara Gram Panchayat of Kandhar, Rampur (Shimla district), normal life has been disrupted after a cloudburst during the intervening night of July 25 and 26. The heavy rainfall has affected relief and rescue operations, with floodwater entering houses in multiple places. Several structures, including a Government Primary School, a Youth Club, Mahila Mandal building, and three houses, were washed away due to the cloudburst in Kandahar. Additionally, 15 sheep and 6 cows were also washed away along with three cowsheds in the village. The Vice President of Sarpara Gram Panchayat, CL Parkeshta, reported extensive property losses, including arable land and crops washed away and buried in the debris in Kunni, Tha, and Naini villages near Jeori and Bethal in the subdivision. The natural calamities have caused panic and distress among the affected people.
Also read:Cloud burst near Rampur: Many houses including a school and live stock washed away
As per a press release issued by the state administration last night, the death toll from the recent rains has reached 176, with eight people losing their lives in rain-related incidents on Wednesday. The state revenue department has assessed the total loss at Rs. 5361 Crore, with the state witnessing 65 landslides and 51 flash floods. Around 10,000 houses have been damaged or completely collapsed due to the heavy rainfall.
The state administration also reported that a significant number of roads (about 12,000) have suffered extensive damage, with 14 bridges washed away and 34 others damaged in various places of Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Mandi districts. This has led to complete disruption of vehicular traffic in these regions.
