Monsoon havoc in Himachal Pradesh: Over 100 dead, £82m in damages
Monsoon rains, which have plagued the state of Himachal Pradesh, located in northern India and known as the Little Himalayas, over the past month, have resulted in the deaths of over 100 people, reports the "Hindu" newspaper. Authorities have estimated the losses at over £82 million.
According to officials cited by the Indian daily, landslides and floods have closed 338 roads, including four major national highways, in this mountainous region of India.
In response to the incessant rains, the regional meteorological office has issued an orange alert in 10 districts of Himachal Pradesh. This means a severe threat of floods and landslides, with possible strong winds and thunderstorms.
According to the local administration, due to the heavy rains, there have been failures in 458 electrical installations and 48 water supply systems.
The situation has also affected other parts of India's northern and northwestern regions. In the capital, Delhi, a seven-year-old boy drowned in a pond formed by accumulated rainwater. In Punjab, a tragic event occurred when an eight-member family attempted to cross a swollen stream by car and was swept away by the water. In the state of Haryana, evacuating residents from several villages was necessary.
Furthermore, according to the India Meteorological Department, large cities such as Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Gurgaon have also struggled with flooding and disruptions in road traffic.
