Himachal Monsoon: Death toll rises to 55 amid heavy rains wreak havoc in state, rescue operation on

Monsoon fury in Himachal Pradesh: At least 55 people have lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh after heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in the State triggering landslides, cloudbursts and blocked roads.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said the toll is likely to go up and said that Solan, Shimla, Mandi, and Hamirpur are among the worst-affected districts in the state.

 “Around 55 people have lost their lives in the state till now. The death toll might go up. Restoration work is being done on a war footing. Chandigarh-Shimla 4-lane highway along with other arterial roads has been opened," CM Sukhu said.

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CM Sukhu further informed that ongoing search and rescue efforts are in progress within the region. In light of the unfortunate situation, the state decided not to hold any cultural festivities for Independence Day.

The chief minister also visited the disaster-hit village Jadon in Solan district which suffered heavy loss of life and property due to a cloudburst. According to officials seven people of a family had lost their lives in the disaster.

He also visited Phagli area of Shimla City to personally oversee and extend a helping hand to those affected by a landslide in which several houses were reportedly buried.

High alert in Himachal Pradesh 

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours in several parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Met department has raised “red alert” for both the hilly states which will gradually reduce to “orange alert”.