Himachal Pradesh Battles Devastation: Landslides, Cloudbursts, and Relief Efforts

MANDI: In a series of unfortunate events, Himachal Pradesh, the scenic Himalayan state, finds itself grappling with a cascade of natural disasters. Reports indicate that heavy rainfall, landslides, and cloudbursts have led to widespread destruction and casualties across various regions.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been at the forefront of rescue operations, successfully saving 51 stranded individuals from the aftermath of cloudburst incidents in Shehnu Gouni and Kholanal villages within the Mandi district. This event is just one among several as the state struggles with the aftermath of continuous heavy rainfall and landslides.

Himalayan terrains are unforgiving, and the situation worsened when a massive landslide wreaked havoc in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The damage was staggering, with 2,237 houses fully destroyed and an additional 9,924 houses suffering partial damage. The toll extended to commercial establishments as well, with 300 shops and 4,783 cowsheds also falling victim to the natural onslaught.

In the face of such calamity, the Mandi District Administration stepped up its efforts by employing Air Force helicopters to transport essential supplies like food and medicines to remote and inaccessible areas. This concerted approach aimed to alleviate the suffering of those hardest hit.

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Jairam Thakur, visited the landslide-stricken areas of Kuklah in the Mandi district. He called on the current Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to prioritize rations for the affected communities. Thakur painted a grim picture, stating that a two-storey school building collapsed, multiple houses showed signs of structural compromise, and the loss of six lives was reported in a single day. "Keeping in view the huge loss due to heavy rainfall in the state, I have visited my constituency. A two-storeyed school building collapsed today and almost all houses have become unsafe as they have developed cracks. Around six people have lost their lives in one day," Former HP CM said.

Transportation networks also took a severe hit, leaving over 800 commuters stranded due to the Chandigarh-Manali national highway's blockade. Chief Minister Sukhu assured the public that the government was fully committed to providing assistance. Efforts to clear the roads and restore normalcy were underway, and in the interim, the district administrations were tasked with ensuring accommodations and sustenance for those marooned at no cost.

The magnitude of the damage became evident as Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted that the national highway connecting Mandi and Kullu suffered significant impairment due to landslides near Pandoh. The toll of the monsoon's fury was staggering, with over 350 lives lost and estimated losses surpassing Rs 12,000 crore.

In this time of crisis, voluntary organizations, including the Red Cross Society, joined hands with local residents to distribute food and essential supplies to those in need. The state's resilience was being tested, but the unity of efforts to provide relief showcased the indomitable spirit of Himachal Pradesh's people in the face of adversity.

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