The rains of the monsoon have caused devastation in Himachal Pradesh with flash floods and landslides causing damage and displacement. The rains have also caused massive infrastructural damage throughout the area, and all of the Rampur region of Shimla has been adversely affected. It has also caused the emergency relocation of Jatog and to the state's Army Cantonment, and then it resulted in suspending road travel for the foreseeable future.
A report has mentioned that cloudbursts have led to the flooding of Nalas, resulting in the destruction of entire vehicles, and shops, and causing damage to the stone industry in Katwadi. Rampur area of Shimla has also been the recipient of incessant rainfall, leading to the flash flooding of numerous households, while causing harm to civilians. Compared to other places, Jatog Army Cantonment has also witnessed army residences evacuated because of landslides that have also taken place alongside the floods.
The Chandigarh-Manali four-lane road, a major route, has been shut down by a huge landslide at Hanogi today morning. In Himachal Pradesh, over 900 roads, including two national highways, are waterlogged and have landslip injuries, leading to severe congestion. In Shimla, the rockfall at Shoghi also injures vehicles which indicate the roads are still very active in a dangerous way.
Flashy flood waste has destroyed over three houses in Rampur area of Shimla. On account of the general danger, holidays for schools and colleges have been declared in the Kangra, Kullu, and Sirmaur districts for today.
Orange alerts have been issued by the Meteorological Department for the Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Una districts for heavy to very heavy rain. Heavy rain is estimated precipitation for Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Shimla, ranging from 32% above to its normal. Maximum monsoon rainfall activity has been witnessed hitherto driven by a 67% excess in August. In the near future, there is a marginal decrease in activity expected around September 1, while continuous rainfall is very much probable. In the state's constant fight with the incessant rains and persistent danger, disaster relief staff and concerned authorities are laying all their efforts in relief, rescue, and restoration activities. There is an evident warning given to citizens, as the fury of the monsoon is merciless in the picturesque but tough state of Himachal Pradesh.
The current natural disaster exposes the inadequacies of the region's infrastructure. Endless monsoon rains are exacting a staggering price on the entire Himalayan foothills, bringing to the fore the imperative of systemic disaster preparedness.
