The Newz Radar
MANDI: In Himachal Pradesh, there has been a massive outcry due to torrential rains for more than 72 hours. Within two days, 21 persons have lost their lives. Eight persons died on Monday while six have been washed away in swollen rivers and drains.
Monsoon reached Himachal on June 24 and so far 63 persons have lost their lives. Due to landslides, 1,239 roads have been blocked for traffic. As many as 2,577 power transformers have been stalled while 1,418 water supply schemes have been affected. The maximum 581 roads are closed in Shimla, followed by 200 in Mandi, 116 in Chamba, 101 in Sirmaur and 97 each in Hamirpur and Lahaul-Spiti. Similarly, 673 power transformers have been stalled in Mandi, 821 in Shimla, 447 in Sirmaur, 206 in Lahaul-Spiti and 261 in Kinnaur.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will conduct an aerial survey of the damage caused by the rains in Kullu and Lahaul. Apart from this, the rescue operation of 300 people stranded in Chandratal has started from 5 am on Tuesday. The first team has left for Chandratal from Losar with machinery while the second team headed by ADC Rahul Jain has left from Kaza. The rescue team of about 40 persons, including youths from Pangmo and Losar villages, besides youths from other villages of Spiti.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri reached Mandi on Tuesday morning. Horticulture and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi visited Mandi town, Pandoh and surrounding flood-affected areas in the early hours of Tuesday to take stock of the situation. CPS Sanjay Awasthi, APMC president Sanjeev Guleria and Mandi DC Arindam Chowdhary also accompanied him.
