NH 5 has been closed since morning due to a landslide near Broni nullah at Jhakri, following which the connectivity road to Kinnaur has been closed…reports Asian Lite News
A woman was killed while two others were injured due to landslides following heavy rain in the last 24 hours in Himachal Pradesh. Since Tuesday night, incidents of cloudbursts and landslides have been reported at many places in the state.
Landslides occurred in Dhalli area of Shimla as incessant heavy rain continued late on Tuesday night. A young woman sleeping on the roadside was killed due to the landslide, while two others were injured. The injured are being treated at Indira Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (IGMC), Shimla.
As per information, the girls, who are originally from Haryana, sold medicines on the roadside. The deceased has been identified as Kareena (14), while Asha (16) and Kulwinder (14) were injured in the landslide.
A cloudburst was reported from Choj Nala in Manikaran Valley of Kullu district. According to eyewitnesses, property worth crores of rupees, including the bridge built in Choz village and the houses of the people, has been washed away in the rain.
How much damage has been done or how many people have been washed away has not been estimated yet, there is still a flood situation in this area. The administration is waiting for the water to recede.
NH 5 has been closed since morning due to a landslide near Broni nullah at Jhakri, following which the connectivity road to Kinnaur has been closed.
A flash flood has also been reported in Thungi Khad in Morang, Kinnaur. At present, the administration is engaged in relief and rescue work.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday reviewed the administration’s preparedness to tackle various emergency situations arising out of heavy rain in the state with the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of all the districts through video conferencing from Shimla.
The Chief Minister directed the officers to make foolproof arrangements for managing disasters that are arising due to heavy rains. He said that an adequate number of people and machinery should be deployed in natural calamities-prone areas.
He said, “The rains have increased over the past few days and naturally, there are incidences of landslides, floods and cloudbursts during the rainy season in Himachal Pradesh. One such incident has happened in an area of Kullu district. The information that has been received in the matter is that five people are missing and there has been damage. The camps which were set up by the locals (for the tourists) as well as the tourists, have also been damaged.”
He has directed the administration to take appropriate steps in view of the security at camping sites situated on the banks of rivers in the state. He assured that strict action will be taken against the erring officers involved in the laxity in work related to disaster management. He directed to ensure the availability of Quick Reaction Team and Emergency Operation Centres that would be functional round the clock at the district and sub-division level for disaster management.
He also ordered that the roads affected due to landslides or heavy rains should be repaired immediately.
The Chief Minister also directed the officials to encourage the tourists to take precautions while visiting disaster-prone areas, so that the tourists do not face any inconvenience and their safety can be ensured.
“If an untoward incident is reported, we would rush help to the spot. With the prospect of heavy rainfall in the coming days, there is some risk. We’d stay on high alert so that timely action can be taken,” he added.
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