The Himachal Pradesh government announced the entire state as a "natural calamity affected area." Persistent heavy rains since Sunday have led to landslides across various districts, including Shimla. The rain-related fatalities in Himachal Pradesh have now reached 75, with 22 of these casualties stemming from the significant landslides in Shimla.
"The ongoing monsoon season has brought about an unprecedented loss of human lives and extensive devastation in Himachal Pradesh. The state has been severely affected by incessant rainfall, resulting in floods, cloudbursts, landslides, and slope failures that have led to significant loss of lives and property. Numerous residential units have been damaged or completely destroyed," stated the government.
"In light of the grave and unprecedented situation causing loss of human lives and extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property, the state government has made the decision to designate the entire state as a 'natural calamity affected area'," the statement further read.
Since the onset of the monsoon season on June 24, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 217 fatalities in rain-related incidents. The state emergency operation centre reported that 11,301 houses have sustained partial or complete damage during this period. Currently, 506 roads remain inaccessible, and the disruptions include 408 transformers and 149 water supply schemes. Over the recent days, thousands have been evacuated from regions affected by flooding.
Also, have a look at : Committee and subsequent study to determine cause of calamities in Himachal Pradesh; CM orders