Death toll rises to 25 in Himachal, more rain predicted

The death toll in Himachal Pradesh rose to 25 on Monday with three more people losing their lives due to the rains, which the weather office predicted will continue over the next 24 hours. Heavy rains have lashed the state since Saturday, causing floods, collapsing houses and triggering landslides that have stranded hundreds of people.

The rains have so far caused damage adding up to Rs 574 crore, according to a state government spokesperson. On Monday, the rains subsided but officials reported three more deaths that have taken place since Sunday.

Light-to-moderate rainfall will occur at many places with heavy rains expected at isolated places in the state over the next 24 hours, up to Tuesday morning, according to Shimla meteorological office director Manmohan Singh said. Twelve of 25 deaths took place in Shim;la district, officials said. Traffic between Dharamsala and Shimla via Hamirpur is being diverted through another route, an official said.

Over 500 people are stranded as several roads are blocked by landslides and flash floods, officials said. Efforts are on to clear the roads and restore traffic to move them to safer places.

The National Disaster Response Force is diverting the water accumulated in Kangra district's Nurpur sub-division by digging an alternative channel, an official said. Multiple landslides blocked the flow of water in streams and formed a big artificial lake in Khadetar village in the sub-division.

Residents of Trindi, Danni, Mairka, Lador, Thana, Hindorghaat, Letri and Jassur villages have been asked to vacate their houses and move to safer places, the official added. The incessant rainfall for two days damaged water pipes and hit supplies in Kangra district, another official said on Monday.

He said the water supply lines were being restored but it may take two or three days. In Kullu district, the Averi-Bajirbody road and the Bajaura-Kataula road near Ropa area were blocked by landslides.

Several roads remained blocked in Chamba district too. The Chamba-Pathankot road was blocked at Parihar and the Chamba-Chowari road via Jot at Bhatalwan Ghar and Mathunu.

The Lahru-Sihunta road was blocked at Lahri Bhatti near Lahru and the Lahru-Tunnuhatti road at Barian Gala. The Kihar-Chamba road was blocked at Gharatnala and Rohala Nullah near Sundla, the Tissa-Chamba road at Pangola Nullah, and the Chamba-Pangi road at Saach Pass.

In Hamirpur district, four people, including two school teachers and a student, were saved from drowning in Maan Khad on Monday, police said. They were trying to cross the gushing waters to get to the school. The state government has released Rs 15 crore to different departments for repairing the damage caused by the rains, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur told deputy commissioners through video conferencing from Shimla.