Has Himachal Pradesh Been Hit Harder by Excess Rainfall?

Shimla, Sep 16 (NationPress) - Himachal Pradesh has experienced over 46% more rainfall than the usual levels this season, continuing to face significant challenges from nature's wrath on Tuesday with landslides, flash floods, and the collapse of homes and structures.

Typically, the state receives 692 mm of rainfall by mid-September; however, this year it has already recorded 1,010 mm. This amount far exceeds the average rainfall of 734 mm expected for the entire monsoon.

Tragically, three fatalities from a single family were reported in Mandi district, while Shimla saw numerous landslides and structural failures near multi-story residential buildings.

Apoorv Devgan, the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, confirmed the recovery of three bodies, with two individuals rescued from a collapsed home in Nihri village.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu assessed the situation in flood-affected regions as rescue and relief operations continued in various disaster-stricken areas.

Expressing condolences for the deceased, he stated: "The government stands in solidarity with grieving families during this challenging time." He urged the Mandi administration to provide all necessary support to the victims' families.

During a high-level virtual meeting, the Chief Minister evaluated the situation through reports from the Deputy Commissioners of the impacted regions, directing them to implement immediate measures to alleviate the crisis. He highlighted the importance of relocating residents from unsafe buildings to secure shelters to prevent further incidents and ensure their safety. He also prioritized the restoration of damaged roads and water supply systems to prevent any inconvenience for the populace.

Additionally, he emphasized the need to ensure the availability of essential goods in affected regions. The Chief Minister urged administrative officials to deliver prompt assistance to those in distress.

Later, addressing the media, Sukhu criticized Central ministers visiting disaster areas for political gain, insisting that they should also announce relief packages from their ministries. He called on BJP leaders to persuade the Prime Minister to expedite a special financial package for the state, ensuring timely assistance for affected families. He noted that the state government had only received Rs 400 crore out of the promised Rs 1,500 crore for 2023.

Moreover, the Prime Minister had announced an additional Rs 1,500 crore for helping families impacted by this year’s torrential rains, but uncertainty surrounds whether this amount will be part of a special relief package or scheme-based aid. The state government is currently providing relief to affected families from its limited resources while working diligently to restore damaged roads, irrigation, and water supply systems.

He noted that this year's monsoon brought considerable losses compared to previous disasters in 2023, estimating damages at approximately Rs 20,000 crore over the past three years due to various calamities.

According to the Chief Minister, the recent monsoon has caused extensive devastation statewide, resulting in tragic loss of life and destruction of critical infrastructure, including electricity, water supply, roads, and private properties.

He remarked that these events starkly highlight the detrimental effects of climate change.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited the disaster-stricken areas of Dharampur in Mandi, where damages exceeding Rs 6 crore have been reported for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses. Floodwaters have inundated the Dharampur bus stand, sweeping away several HRTC buses and damaging nearby shops, homes, and parked vehicles.