HP to seek help from IITs, ISRO to study causes of repeated natural disasters

Three people were killed in the Monday incident, a large number of vehicles were buried and several houses were inundated. So far, 21 people have died in Mandi district in rain-related incidents in the ongoing monsoon season.

Of the victims, 17 died in cloudbursts, while 27 people are still missing. “The state government is firmly standing by the affected people and providing relief to them. Restoration operations are going on in full swing and heavy machinery has been deployed to remove debris and clear the blocked roads,” Singh told reporters. The matter has been discussed in detail during a cabinet meeting and the government is preparing a report on an “early-warning system” and climate change, the minister said, adding that the Centre’s assistance would also be sought.

Meanwhile, expressing concern over the rising frequency of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, including cloudbursts and flash floods, Congress spokesperson and Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore Wednesday said that unchecked environmental interference, unscientific excavation, illegal mining, and excessive tree felling could be contributing factors.