Heavy rains causes accidents in Shimla highway, many lose lives

  • | Wednesday | 21st July, 2021

Waterlogging was reported from the low lying areas of lower hills, while several houses have been damaged in the flash flood at Nagoh area of Kangra district. In Chamba district, a car was hit by a landslide and rammed into Ravi river, killing three people of family inside the vehicle. While one body has been recovered, search was on to trace other two persons.

After submerging Shimla in rainwater, and closing down routes for people visiting the state, it seems rain has yet again created chaos in Himachal.

Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh on Monday as many roads in the state were closed due to the landslides and in spate rivers and streams.

Waterlogging was reported from the low lying areas of lower hills, while several houses have been damaged in the flash flood at Nagoh area of Kangra district. In Chamba district, a car was hit by a landslide and rammed into Ravi river, killing three people of family inside the vehicle. While one body has been recovered, search was on to trace other two persons.

Police said the car was hit by a landslide on the Dhunali-Bharmaur road at around 9am. The one body was recovered was that of Shubhra Devi wife of Fangu Ram of Chukrasa Muhal village. Search is on for Fangu Ram and his son Tej Singhmand.
Another car also met with accident along Chamba-Tissa road at Koti Pul in which car driver was killed.

Landslides and falling boulders at different places in the state blocked the traffic for several hours and commuters had a tough time.
One way traffic was allowed on the Kalka-Shimla national highway due to landslides near Tambu Morh, Solan and Sanwara. The highway remained closed for about 15 minutes after the landslide.

In Sirmaur district due to excessive rainfall, gate numbers 2 and 4 of Giri Jateon barrage were opened and before that district administration appealed to the people to stay away from the Jateon Barrage and adjoining areas of Giri river.

Kangra district administration officials said a flash flood incident was reported at Nagoh village under Tatwali panchayat of Fatehpur sub-division of Kangra district on Monday morning around 9.24 am in which five kuchcha houses were destroyed, eight kuchcha houses were partially damaged, while two cows were killed and one is missing.

SDM Fatehpur has identified a nearby gurdwara as relief camp for the affected people and food packets have been distributed and interim relief have been given to the affected families. Officials said that flash flood occurred after a nullah got blocked under a bridge. The overflowing water entered several houses.

According to Shimla Meteorological Centre, few watersheds and places in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kullu districts have having moderate to high threat of flash floods.

The surface run off and inundation may occur at some fully saturated watersheds and low lying areas due to expected persistent rainfall.

Orange alert has been issued for Tuesday.

A landslide hit Chandigarh-Manali national highway (NH-3) on Monday morning, leading to a blockade on the Pandoh route in Mandi district. Hundreds of vehicles, including tourist vehicles, remained stranded on the highway for hours.

A private car was also hit by boulders and the occupants had a narrow escape. The highway is also witnessing landslides near Aut and boulders are rolling down on the highway at different places.

The Mandi-Kullu bypass road via Kataula was also blocked following a landslide. The bypass road opened to traffic around 2.30pm and traffic on the NH-3 was restored almost two hours later. Mandi additional superintendent of police Ashish Sharma said, “We are asking people to drive cautiously during rain and avoid night travel. Cops have been deployed at landslide prone areas to ensure safe movement.”

The Manali-Leh highway was also blocked for some time after a fully loaded truck was got stuck on the mid-highway.
As many as 48 roads were blocked following landslides in Mandi district on Monday.


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