Panic spreads across HP as rains claim one life after another

Shimla: Mansoon rains in Himachal claimed another life on Saturday. Person identified as Ganesh Kumar, 28, of Una district, got washed away in Pandoga Khud while crossing the nearby road. The incident occurred when the water level of a stream increased suddenly at around 6:30 am.

“His dead body was found in Swa river at around 12 noon,” said Pandoga Police Chawki’s official Munshi Rajesh Kumar.

Adding to the loss, on Saturday, were the landslides at Sainwala and Balsar, which trapped several vehicles, including 8 buses in Kaulawalabhud. Not only this, heavy rainfall increased the water level of Manjhada river above the high alert point. This not only washed away the crops, including several trees but also a piece of land was seen flowing in the river.

The view spread panic among the residents and they were seen annoyed over the situation, blaming the state government for delaying the construction of a bridge on Manjhada river and not having safety measures in place. Meanwhile, Nahan’s ancient Ranital garden’s lake is also rising above the high alert point.

Residents Naina Tikkar and Sirmaur along with social activist Piyush Sewal Bhardwaj alleged that in these distressed times, the state government has no backup plans that can save lives.

“Government should do proper research to construct roads and bridges,” they said.

Authorities said that heavy rainfall even washed away the retailing walls at Balsar that they had constructed to control the landslide.

On Friday, too, a huge landslide occurred between Kharapatthar and Hatkoti, which kept the Hatkoti-Shimla highway blocked for the entire day. Entire traffic was diverted via Mandhol area. The landslide washed away the road, electric polls and power lines. Despite this, no casualties were reported due to alertness of people.

Panic is prevailing among residents of Mandi and Kullu districts with falling hills and rising level of Beas. Falling rocks in Kinnaur has become a frequent show here. The monsoon rains continue to damage the vehicles and other properties as well.

“It seems like Himachal Pradesh has been cursed. People continue to lose their lives in these frequent landslides” Manali resident Samita Sharma said.

Shimla deputy commissioner Rohan Chand Thakur said that till now these monsoons have caused Rs 9.6 crore worth of losses in Shimla. In the last 24 hours, losses amounting to Rs 48 lakhs have been estimated.

“We are providing timely relief funds to the affected areas” he added.