SEOC pegs losses at `3,040 cr, says 320 dead since June 20

About 6,000 Manimahesh Yatris have been evacuated and sent to Nurpur and Pathankot in both private and HRTC buses and taxis in the last 48 hours, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also looks after the transport department, said 60 buses have been stationed at Chamba to transport the pilgrims. He said that HRTC operated free bus services from Kalsuin to Pathankot for the devotees. Initially, 36 HRTC buses were deployed to evacuate the stranded pilgrims from Chamera and Kalsuin and more buses would be roped in as per need.

Saxena said that as per the latest reports approximately 5,000 Yatris are left in Bharmour and another around 500 in Chamba who were mainly from adjoining districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He said they would be sent home as soon as the Langera road opens for the light vehicles, the work on which was going on war-footing.

Meanwhile, rains have led to the closure of 842 roads. This includes national highways such as the Old Hindustan Tibet road, the Mandi-Dharampur road and the Aut-Sainj road, which are closed at multiple points due to landslides and heavy snowfall in high altitude areas.

A police team led by Pandoh police post in-charge Anil Katoch had a narrow escape while patrolling the area, when a portion of the mountain slid down suddenly near Hanogi Mata temple along the Mandi-Kullu road.

Manali town has seen massive devastation in the last five days, with chunks of land washed away by the Beas River at several points. The bridge to the Old Manali area has also been swept away.
As per the SEOC, 728 power supply transformers and 456 water supply schemes have been disrupted.

It said 236 roads are closed in Chamba district, 198 in Mandi and 177 in Kullu.
Saxena said in Lahaul-Spiti, the ‘Pagal Nallah’ has been opened for traffic, and heavy vehicle movement was being done towards Kaza. The road to Aleo has been opened for light vehicles through Rohtang Pass.

The road situation in Kullu-Manali is also improving. The left bank has been opened for traffic to Manali, the road leading to Banjar has been opened and the communication services restored in the Banjar area, stated Director-cum-Special Secretary, Disaster Management, DC Rana. He said that by Sunday, truck movement would be started from Lahaul.

Meanwhile, the local Met office has issued an ‘orange alert’ for heavy to very heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms in isolated places in Chamba, Kangra, and Kullu on Sunday.

In view of rain-related incidents such as landslides and road blockages, the police have urged people to remain calm and vigilant, not to spread rumours and cooperate with authorities. In a statement, Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari said that satellite phones have been made available in Bharmour and other places so that stranded pilgrims can connect with their families. Police personnel are working continuously to clear the roads and ensure smooth traffic flow wherever possible, he said.

The state witnessed moderate to heavy rains in several places in the 24 hours beginning Friday evening. Bhattiyat in Chamba received 104.0 mm of rainfall, followed by Jogindernagar 86 mm, Rampur 75.5 mm, Dharamshala 72.8 mm, Shimla 62 mm, Nahan 60 mm, Palampur 60 mm, Murari Devi 58.6 mm, Sarahan 45.5 mm, Gohar 43 mm, Narkanda 42 mm, Shillaroo 41.4 mm and Kangra 40.8 mm.

Thunderstorms lashed Shimla, Kangra, Bhuntar, Jot, Murari Devi, Palampur and Sundernagar, the local Met centre said.