222mm rainfall in day leaves Himachal Pradesh’s Una in massive pain

Shimla: Una district in Himachal Pradesh was battered by extremely heavy rainfall measuring 222.8 mm since Friday evening, disrupting normal life and flooding roads, markets, and residential areas. The downpour marked a staggering 1,854% excess over the district's normal rainfall of 11.4 mm, according to the meteorological department.The heavy rain also resulted in flooding of the Chandigarh-Dharamshala national highway at various places, causing inconvenience to commuters. Una deputy commissioner Jatin Lalit said education institutions have been closed in the district, and the public has been requested not to go near water bodies.He said the district administration is making all-out efforts to clear stagnant water and restore normal life. Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri has directed the district administration to accelerate relief, rescue, and restoration efforts on a war footing. Agnihotri has asked for a detailed report from the district administration and assured that additional resources and manpower will be made available immediately if needed, to ensure there is no delay in delivering relief materials and assistance.Yellow alert in 3 districtsThe meteorological department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain at isolated places on Sunday in Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts. In the remaining districts in the state, light to moderate rain is likely at isolated places. Light to moderate rain was recorded at most places, heavy rain at a few places, and very heavy rain at isolated places was observed across the state on Saturday. Chamba recorded 63.3 mm, Hamirpur 57.8 mm, Kangra 48.8 mm, Mandi 30.5 mm, Kullu 28.8 mm, Sirmaur 28.5 mm, Kinnaur 12.7 mm, Lahaul and Spiti 9.3 mm, Shimla 6.9 mm, and Solan 3.6 mm. The lowest minimum temperature of 11.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday was recorded at Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district, and the highest maximum temperature remained at 31 degrees Celsius at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district.Monsoon disasterAs many as 404 roads across the state, including one NH-505 (Gramphu-Batal) in Lahaul and Spiti district, were blocked on Saturday evening. The highest number of 174 roads are blocked in disaster-affected Mandi district. A total of 411 power distribution transformers and 196 water supply schemes continue to remain disrupted, as per the state emergency operation centre.Out of the total 179 casualties since the start of the monsoon on June 20 till Saturday evening, 101 have been directly attributed to monsoon disasters, including 17 in cloudbursts, eight in flash floods, 20 in drowning, and others in lightning, landslides, and electrocution. As many as 78 persons lost their lives due to road accidents during this period across the state. A total of 36 persons are still missing. Mandi district has recorded the maximum number of 17 deaths due to cloudbursts, seven people lost their lives due to flash floods in Kangra district, and one in Kullu district.Status of damsAs per the state emergency operation centre, the current pond levels of all dams in the hill state were within the permissible operational limits till 5pm on Saturday. Bajoliholi dam and Baira dam on the Ravi basin, Sainj Barrage, and Largi Barrage on the Beas basin have shut down their plants due to high silt and maintenance. Malana-II hydroelectric project on the Beas basin has been shut down since the flash flood on Aug 1, 2024, and the dam gates are open. Una deputy commissioner Jatin Lal said, "As per the reports from various departments till 4 pm, we faced approximately Rs 27 crore losses. Our officials from various depts along with the machinery, including JCBs, are in the field to help people. People facing any problem due to flooding can inform the administration immediately by dialling 1077."