Devastating Landslides Claim Lives and Inflict Severe Damage in Himachal Pradesh
Continuous heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has led to catastrophic landslides that have claimed the lives of 71 people over the past three days. The state is grappling with an estimated monetary loss of ₹75,000 crore due to the relentless monsoon rains. The devastation has rendered significant infrastructure unusable, and the process of rebuilding is expected to take at least a year, according to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
"A challenge as monumental as a mountain lies ahead of us," remarked the chief minister, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. On Tuesday, another landslide struck Shimla, resulting in the collapse of five to seven houses in Krishna Nagar and claiming two lives.
Impact on Education and Public Life
In the wake of frequent landslides that have disrupted road networks, all educational institutions in Shimla will remain closed on Thursday. The ongoing landslides have hampered transportation and made it unsafe for students to travel. The dire circumstances have led to a plea from the state government to the central authorities to declare a national calamity in Himachal Pradesh, acknowledging the scale of the disaster.
Record Rainfall and Root Causes
Himachal Pradesh has already experienced rainfall surpassing the season's average for the year until August. Over 54 days of the monsoon, the state has received 742mm of rainfall, exceeding the average of 730mm. The unprecedented rainfall in July shattered records spanning five decades, ultimately triggering the most devastating natural calamity in half a century.
The chief minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, attributed the landslides to faulty structural design and indiscriminate construction practices by non-local architects who lack an understanding of the scientific construction methods required for hilly terrain. He emphasized that the reckless construction has resulted in landslides, while even old government buildings have managed to withstand danger.
Tragedies Beyond Himachal Pradesh
Neighboring Uttarakhand has also been ravaged by heavy rains, leading to landslides that have claimed ten lives. Additionally, 293 pilgrims who were stranded on the trek route to Madmaheshwar temple were rescued by the administration in Rudraprayag. A landslide struck Lakshman Jhula, burying six individuals under debris at the Night Paradise Camp resort.
Punjab's Struggles with Flooding
In Punjab, excessive water release from the Bhakra and Pong dams inundated Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and Rupnagar. Authorities in Gurdaspur declared school holidays in affected villages, and Rupnagar announced closures for schools and Anganwadi centers in affected areas on August 17-18, acknowledging the urgent need to manage the flooding situation.