Monsoon fury: Himachal Pradesh bears the brunt as cloudbursts, flash-floods create havoc

The torrential monsoon rains that hit Himachal Pradesh on June 20 have created havoc in the hill State, triggering incidents of cloud bursts, flash floods, and landslides, claiming several human lives, and disrupting normal life.

The relentless monsoon has brought the State to its knees, leaving at least 16 people dead in the rain-related incidents, which include flash floods, drowning and electrocution, besides five people are still missing from June 20 till June 30. Around 35 houses have been fully or partially damaged, leaving several families homeless. The State had suffered a cumulative loss exceeding Rs 7,569 lakhs so far in the ongoing monsoon season, according to the State’s Emergency Operation Center.

In the past 24 hours, multiple cloud burst incidents in the State’s Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu districts have been witnessed, following overnight rains that have left the State rivers in a spate. The incidents of cloud bursts and flash floods amid heavy rains have badly hit normal life across the State, resulting in loss of lives and property.