Himachal Pradesh is battering under intense rains for the past three days with more than 20 people losing their life due to rain-related incidents. The water level in the rivers of Himachal Pradesh is at dangerous levels and many houses, buildings collapsed amidst nature's fury. The images and videos from the state are sending shockwaves across the country with the government asking residents to stay indoors.
In a video released on Monday morning, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, urged individuals to refrain from going out in severe rainfall, particularly in close proximity to rivers and nullahs. He advised them to remain alert for the next 24 hours, as the Meteorological Department has issued a warning that heavy rainfall will persist.
The chief minister also asked the concerned MLAs to remain in their constituencies and help the residents in distress.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge talked with the Chief Minister and also requested the Centre to grant relief to Himachal Pradesh from the PM CARES Fund.
"The death of several people in north India due to heavy rains is sad and painful. Have talked to the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. Relief efforts in the state have picked up and every effort is being made despite bad weather, to take people affected by heavy rains to safer places," Kharge said in a tweet in Hindi.
Himachal rain: Rescue operations ON
The administration is on the ground engaged in relief efforts and rescuing people. More than 20 people stranded in Manali were rescued on Monday while the SDRF rescued six persons in a late-night operation on Sunday.
"We have rescued 80 people today. The situation is bad as the water level of the river is rising. Our team is on alert and we are reviewing the areas alongside the river Beas," SSP Mandi, Soumya Sambasivan told news agency ANI.
Himachal received 271.5 mm average rains during the current monsoon season from June 1 to July 9, against normal rainfall of 160.6 mm, an excess of 69%.
