Cloudburst in Himachal’s Kinnaur triggers devastation, vehicles swept away and homes destroyed
Kinnaur (The Uttam Hindu): A cloudburst has caused massive devastation in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district. It is being reported that several drains were flooded due to the cloudburst in which many vehicles were washed away and houses and gardens were destroyed. In fact, a massive flood occurred in Thach village of Nichar subdivision of Kinnaur district at around 12:10 am late night due to a cloudburst. The water of three drains overflowed causing huge damage to farms, gardens and residential properties.
Locals reported that when floodwaters entered the village, villagers who were still inside their homes fled in panic and took refuge in the forest. According to reports, two vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters. Additionally, portions of houses and a cattle shed in Mastan village were swept away. Several gardens were destroyed while the homes of Ranveer and three other villagers are on the verge of collapse.
Additionally, a landslide near Edward School in the state capital, Shimla disrupted traffic and forced the closure of the city's crucial Circular Road. Meanwhile, a three-story house collapsed in the Karevathi area of Kumasaran reflecting the widespread impact of heavy rains across the state.
So far, 424 people have lost their lives in monsoon-related disasters in Himachal Pradesh while damage continues to mount daily across the state. Earlier this week on September 17 floods and landslides in various parts of the state left four people dead and six missing. Furthermore, more than 650 roads including three national highways remain blocked. Furthermore, access to essential services such as electricity and drinking water has been disrupted.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has declared Himachal Pradesh a disaster-hit state and estimated total losses over the past three years at more than ₹20,000 crore. The state has appealed to the central government for immediate financial assistance and comprehensive relief support.
Just a few days earlier, on September 16 another cloudburst in Dharampur, Mandi district, caused massive devastation. Several HRTC buses and private vehicles were swept away and homes and shops were submerged. Locals described it as worse than the 2015 floods, as the Son Nala overflowed and submerged vast areas.