SRINAGAR: Over 78 people have died and property worth crores has suffered damage as Himachal Pradesh is battling extreme monsoon rains and flash floods since June 20.
The cumulative toll due to various monsoon-related disasters in Himachal Pradesh has reached 78 as of July 7. Himachal Pradesh has reported 23 flash floods followed by 19 cloud burst incidents, and 16 landslides as of July 7. This changed the face of the state for the worse, with the death count rising to 78 since the onset of the monsoon on June 20,” the State Disaster Management Authority stated.
The rain-related incidents include 14 deaths from flash floods, eight due to drowning, eight from electrocution and accidental falls, and smaller numbers in landslides, lightning strikes, snake bites and other incidents. Beyond casualties, the state witnessed widespread infrastructural damage. As per SDMA data, 269 roads have been blocked, 285 power transformers have been affected, and 278 water supply schemes have been affected. Mandi district has been worst hit, damaging 176 roads alone. The total loss to public and private property has been estimated at over Rs 57 crore, ANI reported.
Meanwhile, administration have deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams across flood hit regions. Search and rescue operations are still underway, especially in parts of Mandi and Kullu where missing persons have been reported.
