AUG, 14, 2018 11:16 HRS UTC +5:30 | SHIMLA, (HP) INDIA
SHIMLA (HP) – Heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh since Sunday afternoon caused extensive damage in the state and claimed lives of more than 17 people.
Hundreds of people were displaced and many stranded after roads across the state were blocked due to landslides. A number of cloudbursts were also reported from different parts, adding to the problems caused by extreme unstoppable rain. Dozens of vehicles were also damaged in flash floods and landslides.
Traffic was disrupted on six national highways, including Chandigarh-Shimla, Chandigarh-Manali, and Chamba-Pathankot. Landslides and rains blocked 900 roads across the state on Monday, according to local media reports.
The essential medical kits and food commodities to Shimla has been affected due to blocked roads.
The Electricity supply was disrupted across the state, especially in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu-Manali. The District Collector of these cities in a press brief said that work had been started to restore traffic movement and power supply at the earliest to bring normalcy.
The Traffic was disrupted on six national highways, including Chandigarh-Shimla, Chandigarh-Manali, and Chamba-Pathankot. Landslides and rains blocked more than 900 roads across the state as reported.
According to meteorological centre director of Shimla, except Lahual-Sapiti districts, the state received its second highest level of rainfall in the last 117 years, with 172.6mm rain being recorded in the last 24 hours.
Earlier, the Chief minister of state held a meeting with senior bureaucrats to review the havoc caused by heavy rainfall. He directed the officers to deploy adequate men and machinery in landslide-prone areas along the national and state highways to ensure that the roads are kept open for traffic.