Himachal Weather Updates: Heavy rains led to 160 rain-related and over 150 road accidents
Himachal Weather Updates: Since the monsoon began on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has experienced 312 deaths, with 160 attributed to rain-related disasters like landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, electrocution, and other weather-induced incidents, and 152 resulting from road accidents, as reported by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
The total economic loss for the state is estimated at Rs 2,75,354.81 crore, which includes damage to public infrastructure, private property, agriculture, horticulture, and livestock. Additionally, the disaster has resulted in the deaths of 1,854 animals and more than 25,700 poultry birds.
The SDMA report shows that rain-related fatalities have been widespread, with the highest numbers recorded in Kangra (30 deaths), followed by Mandi (29), Chamba (14), Kinnaur (14), and Kullu (13). Road accident deaths have also been significant, with Chamba and Mandi topping the list at 22 each, followed by Kangra (19) and Shimla (15).
Infrastructure damage has been extensive: the Public Works Department (PWD) reported losses of over Rs 1.53 lakh crore, while the Jal Shakti Department (water supply and irrigation) accounted for Rs 94,772.97 crore in damages. The power sector has suffered losses exceeding Rs 13,946 crore, with additional damages recorded in health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry sectors, the report stated.
The housing damage comprises 338 completely destroyed pucca houses, 438 fully destroyed kachha houses, and more than 3,367 partially damaged pucca houses, along with harm to shops, cowsheds, labor huts, ghats, and agricultural land, the report stated. The state government is persistently engaged in rescue, relief, and restoration efforts, with the SDMA emphasizing that reestablishing connectivity, power supply, and drinking water systems is of utmost importance. Officials have cautioned that the toll and damages could escalate if heavy rains persist in vulnerable districts.