20 killed as rain wreaks havoc in Himachal, damages infrastructure; PM Modi speaks with CM Sukhu

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 11

Incessant rains over the past three days have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh triggering landslides, causing power disruption, blocking roads, damaging bridges with the swollen rivers in the state reflecting the nature’s fury that has claimed 20 lives over the past 48 hours.
Tourists are stranded in parts of the hill state with an initial official estimate of the loss to infrastructure estimated between Rs 3000 crore to Rs. 4000 crore Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state has not seen such heavy rains for the past 50 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Chief Minister regarding damages caused due to heavy rains in the State and assured full support to the state government to come out of crisis.
The Chief Minister urged the Centre to declare the situation in the state “as a national calamity” saying the recovery process is estimated to take a long time.
Kullu has been among the worst affected districts in Himachal Pradesh with visuals showing a truck flowing in the waters of the furiously flowing Beas river in the district.
In Mandi, Panchvaktra temple has been submerged in the waters of Beas river.
Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur said that houses got swept away due to floods and at least 12 big bridges have been damaged or swept away.
Himachal Pradesh has been “worst affected” due to incessant rains that have also impacted several other parts of the country.
Sukhu, who has been monitoring the situation, held a review meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority, (SDMA) from Nadaun through video conference and gave necessary directions to the authorities.
He said that nature’s fury has caused extensive damage to the roads, power transformers, electric sub-stations and numerous water supply schemes and has thrown the normal life out of gear in various parts of the state. A hydro-electric project has also been affected.
He asked all directed all the Deputy Commissioners to remain vigilant for the next 10 days and provide all possible assistance to the affected persons.
Expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the landslides and flash floods, the Chief Minister assured that the State Government is making all-out efforts to tackle this situation efficiently.