Cloudburst-hit Shimla’s Samej battles long blackout after tragedy as power infrastructure swept away

Samej village in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh continues to be in dark even 10 days after a cloudburst hit the area on the night of July 31.

The floods wreaked havoc, washing away transformers, electricity poles and wires, making the task of restoring electricity a major challenge. Despite the relentless efforts of the electricity board’s employees, who are working tirelessly to rebuild the entire system from scratch, the damage is extensive and progress has been slow.

The 10-day blackout has brought immense hardship to the villagers. The lack of electricity has left the residents in complete darkness at night, amplifying their fear and discomfort as frequent rainstorms lash the area. By day, the challenges persist as villagers are forced to rely on generators to charge their mobile phones.

However, this is no easy task as they must wait for hours for their turn, with dozens of mobiles being charged simultaneously. The ongoing power outage has left them cut off from communication with loved ones, further deepening their isolation.

The situation took a turn for the worse on Thursday night when heavy rains caused a significant portion of the Samej to Sargha Sarpara road to collapse, blocking access to the area. This road is a crucial link for several villages beyond Samej, and its closure has left many residents stranded in their homes, further isolating them from essential services and aid.

Adding to the woes of the villagers is the onset of the apple harvesting season. Farmers now face the daunting task of transporting their apple crops to the markets amid the ongoing power outage and road closures. The relentless rain has only heightened their fears, with many locals expressing anxiety over the possibility of another cloudburst that could unleash further devastation