Himachal Pradesh put under red alert; Uttarakhand faces landslide warnings

New Delhi (India) July 7: Himachal Pradesh has recorded 16 landslides, 19 cloudburst incidents and 23 flash floods. Since the start of the monsoon on June 20, the state's situation has deteriorated, with the death toll now standing at 78.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said that 28 were killed in traffic accidents and 50 were killed in rain-related mishaps.

The rain-related disasters include eight drowning deaths, eight electrocution deaths, eight unintentional falls, fourteen flash flood deaths, and smaller numbers from landslides, lightning strikes and snake bites.

During this time, 278 electricity transfers are blocked, 261 water projects are closed, and 243 roads including two national highways are closed.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts severe rain on July 8 and 9 in addition to "very heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning, squall" today.

People in Thunag, Himachal Pradesh, put their life savings in the Himachal Cooperative Bank because they thought it would be safe, however the bank is now in ruins due to the terrible flash floods. There is uncertainty on the scale of the damage and loss, which is thought to be in crores of rupees and includes jewellery valued at lakhs, but the first floor of the two-story bank has been destroyed.

Three districts Sirmaur, Kangra and Mandi have been placed under a red alert, while seven districts Shimla, Solan, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, Kullu and Chamba are put under an orange alert.

Four districts in Uttarakhand Tehri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli are under a landslide alert from the Geological Survey of India. There is a warning that numerous areas, including Chamoli, Ukhimath, Ghansali, Narendra Nagar, Dhanaulti, Dunda and Chinyalisaur, could experience landslides on July 7 and 8.

The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has responded by ordering the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, disaster management agencies and all district magistrates to stay vigilant.

The Disaster Management Incident Response System (IRS) system has directed all officials and departmental nodal officers to stay on high alert.

All officials have been instructed to remain vigilant, maintain their wireless devices and equipment on high alert, and refrain from turning off their phones for the next 48 hours.

During the alert period, travel by tourists is to be restricted in the high Himalayan regions and during periods of heavy rainfall, motor vehicles and pedestrians must be stopped.

Aadrika Tayal