Rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday and the meteorological office here issued a red alert predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated spells of “extremely heavy” rains in eight of its 12 districts during the night.
The warning was issued in the evening for parts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Una districts as rains on Tuesday triggered some landslides in Mandi and uprooted trees in other areas. No casualties were reported in this fresh bout of rains. Earlier this month, about 80 people died in rain-related incidents, including major landslides in Shimla.
The Met also issued an orange alert warning of “heavy to very heavy rains” on Wednesday and Thursday, and a yellow warning of heavy rain on August 25 and 26. It has predicted a wet spell in the state till August 28.
Himachal Pradesh has received six per cent deficit rainfall in August so far. The seasonal rainfall was 752.1 mm against a normal rainfall of 550.4 mm, an excess of 36 per cent. As many as 227 people have died in rain-related in Himachal while 38 are still missing since the onset of monsoon on June 24. Over 12,000 houses have been completely or partially damaged, according to the state emergency operation centre.
As per its data, the state has suffered losses of about Rs 8,100 crore and the loss estimates are still pouring in. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has claimed that the state has suffered losses of Rs 10,000 crores.
Apple and tourism are the two main pillars of Himachal Pradesh’s economy and both these sectors have been badly hit. Link roads in the apple growing areas were closed following frequent landslides due to torrential rains which obstructed the apple transportation to the Mandis (fruit markets). The tourist inflow has reduced to zero to two per cent in the past one and a half months. Normally the occupancy during the Monsoon season varies between 30-40 per cent.
SHORTCOMINGS OF SUCCESSIVE GOVTS RESPONSIBLE FOR CURRENT SITUATION: HIMACHAL MINISTER
Himachal Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday acknowledged that the “shortcomings” of successive governments were responsible for the current situation in the hill state and promised “strong steps” for protecting environment.
“We owe an apology to people for colossal devastation due to rains, floods and landslides and are determined to take bitter and strong steps for the safety and security of the state and future generations,” Singh said in a video message. “I am tendering an apology to the people not because I or we have done something wrong but feel that there must have been some shortcomings on the part of previous successive governments which led to the loss of human lives and property during the ongoing monsoons,” he said.
He said, “Unless there is remorse and introspection, we can’t plan for the future”, and assured that a broad framework would be planned for the construction of new roads and maintenance of existing roads besides adopting new techniques like tunnelling for four-lane projects.
During visits to landslide-ravaged areas, it was observed that the culverts on the roads were choked and there was no cross-drainage, resulting in landslides and flash-floods which swept away orchards and fields, the minister said. “To save the environment and tourism, some bitter and strong steps would be taken even though these may be unpalatable for some people.
“I had detailed discussions with chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and he has given a go-ahead signal,” he added.
ANURAG THAKUR VISITS RAIN-AFFECTED VILLAGES
Union minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur on Tuesday visited rain-affected villages of Hamirpur district and took stock of the situation. He enquired about the loss caused to houses, roads and fields amid heavy rains and assured the affected people of adequate relief. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was closely monitoring the situation. The Information and Broadcasting minister later left for Dehra sub-division of Kangra district to monitor the flood situation there. Normal life has taken a hit following heavy rains in the district since Monday night, with the water level in the river Beas and its tributaries rising.