Four NH including Hindustan Tibet National Highway affected by rains

Shimla, June 26 – Heavy to very heavy monsoon rains have paralysed normal life in Himachal Pradesh, including the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway-5 and Chandigarh-Manali NH-3. Four National Highways and 100 major and link roads have been disrupted for the last two days.

Hindustan The Tibet National Highway is closed at Theog after the retaining wall caved in for seven days. According to the district administration, a Steel Valley Bridge is being installed, which may take at least one week for the complete restoration of roads.

On Sunday, heavy to very heavy rainfall caused flash floods and landslides at 7 and 9 miles on NH-3, which is blocked at a number of places between Mandi and Kullu. Unscientific mining, illicit dumping, and relentlessly throwing muck and Garbage downstream on the bank of the river and culvert almost caused a flood-like situation.

According to local media reports, it is not a suitable time for people to visit Manali as NH-3 is closed. Kullu district administration also said that until 0900 hrs., NH-3 could not be restored.

The Met Office recorded 106 mm of rain at Dharamshala, and Kangra had 90.7 mm.

Mandi is 74 mm, Gohar is 67 mm, Poantashaib (Sirmour) is 43 mm, Palampur is 32 mm, and Chamba is 24 mm. Thunderstorms were also recorded in Kangra, Sundernagar (Mandi), and Bhuntar (Kullu).

Power and Water supplies were disrupted in most places, forcing civic bodies to caution people to use water responsibly. Several Water supply schemes in the state are affected due to increasing heavy silt discharge in the water streams.

The state government confirmed that in the very first two days of the monsoon, about three people were killed, one was missing, and one was injured. 13 houses and 12 Vehicles were damaged.

As many as 40 vehicles were stranded; moreover, heavy rain damaged five cowsheds, one school, and killed five people, and 16 are missing.

The administration disbursed ex-gratia payments of Rs 75 lakh to affected families, leading to a rain loss of Rs 2.56 Crore.

The Met Office forecast heavy rainfall in some places and widespread rainfall in many places during the next 24 hours.