Himachal Pradesh monsoon: Death toll increases to 74, losses worth Rs 10,000 crore

Himachal Pradesh Monsoon: A pale of sorrow, grief and devastation descended the peaceful hills of Himachal Pradesh. The serenity of pleasant weather which was the perfect escape from world is now the scene of a heartbreaking story of landslides, falling homes, flash floods and loss of precious lives.

One of the most beautiful states of India, Himachal Pradesh has been battered by intense rainfall since the previous week witnessed the loss of more than 74 precious lives and losses worth Rs 10,000 crore in Himachal Pradesh due to the devastating impact of landslides and flash floods. 

Some of the favourite and prominent destinations of Himachal Pradesh have been relentlessly battered by torrential rainfall since few previous weeks. 

In the major update, At least 74 people have been killed in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh and a monetary loss of around Rs 10,000 crore has been reported in this year's monsoon season. 

Meanwhile, according to the data provided by the state disaster management, 1,762 houses have been fully damaged, and 8,952 houses have been partially damaged, with 113 landslides occurring in this year's monsoon season. 

Monsoon wreaks havoc in Shimla’s Summer Hill

In a horrific and tragic accident, 13 bodies have been recovered so far and several people still missing after a massive landslide struck the Summer Hill area of Shimla on August 14. 

Also Read: Shimla temple collapses: 13 dead, several missing; rescue operation underway in Summer Hill

Earlier, a family lost members spanning three generations in the mishap in which a temple in the Summer Hill area of rain-battered Shimla district was washed away following a landslide triggered by Monday’s cloudburst.

A section of the railway tracks has been swept away leaving the tracks hanging in the air in Summer Hill. 

Damage to houses and buildings in Himachal Pradesh

Persistently heavy rainfall continues to cause havoc in parts of Himachal Pradesh, resulting in substantial damage to buildings and properties. The Krishna Nagar area of Shimla experienced the collapse of 5 to 7 houses due to landslide.

Himachal Monsoon also caused blockage and closure of approximately 800 roads in Himachal. 

The ongoing monsoon season has inflicted extensive losses on the state, amounting to thousands of crores.

Shimla witness heart-wrenching saga of landslides

In one of the heart-wrenching incidents, one man’s voice can be heard in the middle of the horrific landslide saying, “Will we also die, will our house too break, papa,” he recalled the words of his six-year-old daughter,  as the grim reality of the destructive downpour in Shimla unfolded on the occasion of Independence Day.

Also Read: Shimla landslides: Father recalls his 6-year-old daughter's haunting question 'Will we also die...?

"Startled by a deafening roar, our family quickly dashed outside. Piercing screams filled the air as the edge of a hill, situated a mere 100 meters from our abode and spanning across a ravine, gave way. Tragedy unfolded before our eyes as a pair of multi-storey residences, along with a collection of improvised dwellings and even a slaughterhouse, became entombed beneath the weight of the debris," he added.

Some of the favourite and prominent destinations of Himachal Pradesh have been relentlessly battered by torrential rainfall since few previous weeks.