Shimla, August 30 – At least 320 people have lost their lives and 40 others are missing in rain-related incidents across Himachal Pradesh since June 20, even as the state continues to battle massive damage caused by flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
The SEOC report said Himachal has suffered losses of over ₹3,040 crore during this monsoon season, which has seen 91 flash floods, 45 cloudbursts and 93 major landslides. In addition, 728 power supply transformers and 456 water supply schemes have been disrupted, while 842 roads, including key national highways, remain blocked.
Thousands of pilgrims undertaking the annual Manimahesh Yatra have been stranded in Chamba district, with around 5,000 devotees stuck in Bharmour alone. Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said about 6,000 pilgrims have already been evacuated to Pathankot and Nurpur in buses and taxis. Small helicopters may be deployed if bad weather continues to hamper road clearance.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, after conducting an aerial survey of flood-hit areas, said police and administration were facilitating the onward journey of pilgrims who wished to walk to Bharmour. He added that while the number of human casualties so far is lower than last year’s floods, the scale of destruction this year is much higher.
In Manali town, several houses and shops have been inundated as the Beas river washed away land at multiple points. The bridge to Old Manali has been swept away, while flooding from the Manalsu drain has disrupted drinking water supply.
In Shimla district, landslides damaged five houses in two villages, while a police patrol narrowly escaped after a mountain portion collapsed near Hanogi Mata temple on the Mandi-Kullu road.
The local Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain with thunderstorms in Una, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts on Saturday, with similar conditions expected on Sunday in all but Mandi and Una.
DGP Ashok Tewari said satellite phones have been made available in Bharmour and other affected areas so stranded pilgrims can connect with families. Police teams are working continuously to clear blocked roads. He appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid rumours and cooperate with authorities.
Rainfall in the past 24 hours was highest in Bhattiyat, Chamba (104 mm), followed by Jogindernagar (86 mm), Rampur (75.5 mm) and Dharamshala (72.8 mm). Moderate to heavy rain was also recorded in Shimla, Nahan, Palampur, Murari Devi, Sarahan and Kangra.
