At least 17 killed as torrential rains wash away people's homes in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday confirmed that the state had already lost at least 17 lives over the past three to four days due to the flood-related incidents occurring across various regions.

The chief minister is expected to visit Mandi and Kullu districts to evaluate the flood-related damage.

The inclement weather has also left hundreds of tourists stranded at various locations. Numerous tourists have been forced to curtail their vacations and cancel their hotel bookings.

Approximately 200 tourists found themselves stranded in the Chandratal area of Lahaul and Spiti district, while a similar number of tourists were stranded between the Pagal Nala and Telgi Nala regions of Kinnaur district.

The incessant rains have made it difficult for people to contact their relatives, as the mobile phone networks remain non-functional in remote areas. Moreover, the power outages have made it impossible for individuals to charge their mobile devices.

"Our top priority is to restore power and water supplies. We are



unable to rescue the stranded tourists due to landslides. However, we have provided them with necessary food supplies, ensuring their safety," said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The torrential downpours have caused damage to both public and private property in the state, with an estimated loss of around Rs 4,000 crore.

In the wake of the disaster, three national highways, along with an additional 800 roads, were blocked due to landslides.

Authorities are working to clear the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, which is currently blocked at four locations between Mandi and Pandoh. Officials told India Today that it will likely take at least two days to clear the debris and restore the affected stretches.

The state has experienced rainfall of 200 mm, surpassing the normal levels by 30 per cent, which has further worsened the situation.

A fresh flood alert has been issued in six districts of the state, including Chamba, Kullu, Sirmour, Solan, Mandi, and Shimla. Meanwhile, eight districts in Himachal Pradesh are under a heavy rain alert.