Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 23 (ANI): Heavy monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh have claimed 298 lives since June 20, together with 152 deaths in rain-related incidents and 146 in highway accidents, in line with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
The SDMA’s cumulative report exhibits that rain-related fatalities had been brought on by landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, fires, snake bites, electrocution, and falls from steep terrain. Landslides and flash floods collectively accounted for 19 deaths, whereas drowning incidents claimed 31 lives.
Another 32 folks died after falling from steep rocks or timber, and 25 deaths had been recorded below ‘different’ causes linked to excessive climate.
Road accident deaths remained excessive in the course of the monsoon, with Kangra district reporting 19 fatalities, Mandi 22, Chamba 21, Bilaspur 6, Kullu and Kinnaur 13 every, Shimla 15, Solan 14, Sirmaur 9, Una 9, Hamirpur 3, and Lahaul and Spiti 2.
The state has additionally suffered large injury to infrastructure and property. Loss to public property is estimated at over Rs 2,34,739 lakh. The Public Works Department reported over Rs 1,31,079 lakh in damages, the Jal Shakti Department Rs 76,974 lakh, and the ability sector Rs 13,946 lakh.
Private property injury consists of 313 absolutely broken pucca homes, 362 absolutely broken kachcha homes, and 813 partially broken pucca homes. Agricultural and horticultural losses are additionally substantial, with over 2,728 hectares of crops broken.
The SDMA stated 1,824 animals have died, whereas poultry losses stand at 25,755 birds.
Authorities have urged folks to stay alert because the India Meteorological Department maintains a heavy rain warning for a number of districts. The danger of additional landslides, flash floods, and highway accidents stays excessive, notably in hilly terrain and alongside saturated slopes. (ANI)