Heavy rain and landslides in Himachal Pradesh cause 358 roads to shut down.
Monsoon Wreaks Havoc in Himachal Pradesh, Causing Losses and Disruptions
Heavy monsoon rains have taken a toll on Himachal Pradesh, with the state reporting losses of ₹1,988 crore since the onset of the monsoon on June 20. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) has reported that 599 transformers and 177 water supply schemes have been affected, while 112 people have lost their lives and 37 are missing due to rain-related incidents.
The steep slopes and high relief of the Himalayan region have made Himachal Prone to landslides and flash floods, especially during heavy rainfall or cloudbursts. The increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events and climate change have worsened the situation, causing more frequent landslides and flash floods.
Unregulated construction, reckless hill-cutting, illegal mining, and encroachment on riverbeds and natural drainage channels have destabilized slopes and increased vulnerability to disasters. Deforestation and environmental degradation, including the drying up of native trees like deodars, have diminished the natural protection against erosion and landslides. The continual disturbance to fragile soils combined with ongoing heavy rains leads to the collapse of slopes, resulting in road blockages and infrastructure damage.
A total of 358 roads, including two national highways, were closed on Friday due to landslides and flash floods in various locations across Himachal Pradesh. The Auto-Sainj road NH 305 was blocked near Jahed and Banjar in Kullu district, and the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway 21 was opened on Thursday afternoon but was closed again on Friday due to a landslide in Mandi district. Reports of damage to private orchards have been received from the Narkanda-Shilaroo area of the Shimla district due to floods from drains entering the lands.
The local MeT office issued a yellow warning of heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in three to six districts on Saturday and Sunday. An orange alert of heavy rains in isolated areas of the state has been issued from Monday to Thursday. To reduce road closures and damage, efforts to adopt climate-resilient infrastructure and stricter environmental safeguards are recommended.
- Despite the ongoing monsoon, cricket matches in India might still be postponed due to the poor weather conditions causing disruptions, similar to the issues faced in Himachal Pradesh.
- The general news about the massive damages and losses in Himachal Pradesh due to continuous heavy rains reminds us of the critical need for India to address environmental degradation and infrastructure issues, particularly in mountainous regions like the Himalayas, which are prone to landslides and flash floods.
