Himachal Pradesh monsoon toll rises, 366 dead so far

The monsoon seasons devastation in Himachal Pradesh has left 366 people dead including 203 fatalities in rainrelated incidents such as landslides flash floods drowning and lightning strikes and 163 deaths in road accidents the State Disaster Management Authority SDMA said on SundayThe SDMA stated that the total estimated loss to public and private property amounts to a staggering Rs 40809749 lakh over Rs 4080 crorePublic infrastructure has suffered extensive damage with Public Works Department PWD losses pegged at Rs2518548 lakh Jal Shakti Vibhag JSV losses at Rs1254924 lakh and the power sector reporting damages worth Rs1394669 lakhThe report recorded 4784 houses fully or partially damaged along with losses to shops cowsheds agricultural and horticultural crops and educational and health infrastructureMandi district reported the highest rainrelated fatalities at 37 followed by Kangra 31 Kullu 25 Chamba 21 and Shimla 21 Kinnaur saw 14 deaths while Bilaspur Hamirpur Solan Una LahaulSpiti and Sirmaur also reported casualtiesOn the road accident front Chamba topped the list with 22 deaths followed by Mandi 22 Kangra 19 Shimla 18 and Solan 19The SDMA report also highlighted heavy losses in the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors with 1991 animals dead and 26955 poultry birds lost Crop damage has been reported across multiple districts further compounding the economic impactOfficials said restoration work is ongoing on a war footing but persistent rainfall and recurring landslides are hampering progress in several areasContinuous rainfall is delaying the clearance of debris and restoration of services particularly in remote valleys an SDMA spokesperson saidThe authority has advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas and adhere to local administration advisoriesMeanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Himachal Pradesh on September 9 to take stock of the loss of life and property due to heavy rainfall in the state BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur saidThe Prime Minister is coming to Himachal Pradesh to take stock of the loss of life and property due to the heavy rainfall here I will also go to Dharamshala to attend that meeting and brief him about the situation Thakur the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly told ANIPrime Minister Modi will also visit Punjab on September 9 to take stock of the flood situationThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever