- Saturday, May 04, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
HEAVY monsoon rain triggering cloudbursts and flash floods have wreaked havoc in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on Monday (12), causing destruction of public properties in Bhagsu village near Dharamshala and other destinations in the state which is known for its tourist attractions. Damages and deaths were also reported from its neighbour Uttarakhand.
Flood waters were seen sweeping through the roads of the village, damaging parked vehicles. The district administration has urged tourists to postpone their visit to Dharamshala in the wake of the natural disaster. Heavy rain also hit the state’s Kangra district, located 58 kilometres (36 miles) from Dharamshala and hotels in the area have reported heavy damage. Several other districts have also seen heavy rain after a spell of heat. The Manjhi river in Dharamshala was also overflowing, sweeping away nearly 10 shops, reports said.
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Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh recently came into headlines over growing crowds following the easing of pandemic restrictions which made the authorities concerned over a possible resurgence of the coronavirus.
Two persons were also reportedly missing in Kangra district, deputy commissioner Nipun Jindal said. “We can’t say it’s a cloud burst in Bhagsu Nag but initially, it’s a flash flood case due to heavy rain,” he added.
Uttarakhand also faces Nature’s fury
In Uttarakhand too, media visuals showed debris from a landslide blocking the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway number 7 near Chamoli in Uttarakhand. In another incident, three persons, including a minor boy, were killed at a village in the state after their house crumbled in a landslide caused by heavy rain.
In Jammu and Kashmir, a Union Territory north of Himachal Pradesh, too, heavy rain was witnessed though neighbouring Delhi, Punjab and Haryana remained dry.
Prime minister, home minister assure help
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi took to social media site Twitter to express concern over the crisis in Himachal Pradesh and assured full assistance from the Centre.
“The situation in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rains is being closely monitored. Authorities are working with the State Government. All possible support is being extended. I pray for the safety of those in affected areas,” he said in a tweet.
Indian home minister Amit Shah said on Twitter that he has spoken with Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on the issue and assured that a team of the National Disaster Relief Force has been sent for a rescue mission in the hill state. He assured that the central government will provide every kind of assistance to help Himachal overcome the crisis.
“Regarding the natural calamity caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, I have addressed the Chief Minister Shri.@jairamthakurbjp Spoke to Mr. NDRF teams are reaching there soon for relief work. The Ministry of Home Affairs is continuously monitoring the situation. Himachal will be given all possible help from the Centre,” Shah said.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand. I appeal to Congress workers in all affected areas to lend a helping hand. Please stay safe.”
Many other states in North India also saw heavy rainfall and a number of deaths in lightning strikes.
In the South, Kerala saw incessant rain and the weather officials issued an orange alert for five northern districts of the state. Its northern neighbour Karnataka also received heavy rainfall in its coastal parts.
