Trail of devastation in Himachal due to heavy rain

Intermittent heavy rain,  which is still continuing,  has left a trail of devastation in the most fragile Dharampur Valley of Sarkaghat sub-division of Mandi district.

In just half-an-hour, the swollen Son river due to cloudburst wrecked havoc. Dharampur bus-stand and over 150 shops were submerged in water and people took shelter on roof-tops.

Sandeep Kadam, Deputy Commissioner, after returning from the flood ravaged areas told newspersons that a sum of Rs11 lakh was being immediately disbursed to the victims as immediate relief. He claimed that the power supply had been restored in over 80 per cent villages. Heavy machinery including 18 JCBs had been pressed into service to clear the road from landslides. Eight major drinking water supply schemes of the area had also been made functional whereby around 60 per cent villages were getting potable water.

He said ration supply, gas cylinders, utensils, tarpaulins etc. had been rushed to the flood victims.Additional District Magistrate, Vivek Chandel was camping at Dharampur to supervise relief and rehabilitation work, he added.Heavy rain has disrupted normal life in Mandi, Kulu, Bilaslpur, Hamirpur and Kangra districts causing loss of crores of rupees. In Mandi district alone as many as 156 roads have been disrupted.  Drinking water, power supply, traffic and telecommunications have been partially disrupted in parts of the Beas Valley.

A portion of NH-21 between Pandoh and Aut has become a virtual death trap where  reports of falling landslides are increasing. Just in five hours on Sunday rocks fell on as many as 6 vehicles including 5 buses injuring dozens of passengers. However, no loss of life was caused due to the alertness and vigil of competent drivers.

A bus  HP-42A-1240 Kelong Depot, had hardly passed the Hanogi Temple when a hillock fell on it near Jogan Nala on Sunday. Driver sustained head injury and became unconscious. He was immediately rushed to Zonal hospital where his condition is stated to be serious. Fortunately engine of the bus stopped functioning. As many as 26 passengers travelling in the bus had a providential escape. If the engine had not stopped the bus would have plunged into 200 feet down in the swollen Beas.

Reports of widespread damages by landslides, collapse of houses and cowsheds are pouring in from Karsog, Seraj Valley, Gohar, Sundernagr and Jogindernagar. Tourists have been advised to refrain from traveling at night.