Chamba, Himachal Pradesh: Torrential monsoon rains continue to batter Himachal Pradesh, with Chamba district witnessing a series of landslides that have disrupted normal life, buried vehicles in debris, and forced several families to evacuate their homes as a precaution.
The incessant rainfall over the past several hours has loosened soil on vulnerable mountain slopes and caused several landslides throughout the district. Mud, rocks, and debris were thrown down on roads and residential areas, and the concern among the local people and government officials took over.
VIDEO | Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rain triggers landslides in Chamba, burying vehicles and forcing several families to evacuate their homes.
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When landslides struck without warning in some of these areas, it was clear vehicles were buried in mud and rocks in collapsed roads, roads were blocked in some places, and people couldn’t get out to help. Heavy machines were brought in to remove the debris and reopen the main roads, and authorities checked the stability of nearby slopes to prevent any other accidents.
District authorities evacuated several families in the area of landslide risk and residents living above landslide-prone areas. They moved people to safer locations because the rain was continuing and further slope failure was inevitable, and they feared disaster response personnel, local administration and police were working together to ensure the evacuation was seamless and displaced people were provided immediate help.
There were no major casualties reported at the time of filing this report, but authorities remain on high alert as weather conditions are relatively unstable. The ground has been saturated with constant rainfall, and fresh landslides and flash floods are increasing, and in hilly areas there is a high risk of them.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has repeatedly warned of heavy rains in a number of districts of Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season, which has been predicted to be heavy rainfall. There have been many landslides, road collapses and flash floods in the past few weeks in the state, damaging infrastructure and affecting thousands of residents.
Chamba, with its rugged mountainous terrain and valleys, is particularly vulnerable during heavy rains. When landslides occur, roads connecting remote villages are often the first to be damaged, and rescue operations and the supply of essential goods are more challenging.
Disaster management authorities have advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly on mountainous roads, where falling rocks and landslides pose a threat. Tourists visiting the hill state have also been advised to keep in touch with official weather advisories before taking off to the hills.
Public Works Department (PWD) teams are clearing blocked roads with excavators and other heavy equipment. Electricity and communication services in some cities were disrupted by damaged infrastructure for a few hours, but at least some restoration work has started.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police and district administration are closely monitoring vulnerable areas. Emergency teams are on stand-by for any landslides and flash flood situations.
Residents living near unstable hillsides, riverbanks and low-lying areas should be alert and report any cracks, soil movement or unusual sounds from slopes immediately, officials say. And if evacuation orders are issued, they have also advised people to act and to take emergency supplies.
With the monsoon expected to continue over Himachal Pradesh in the next few days, officials are focusing on public safety and speeding up restoration work. Residents have been assured that relief and rescue work will continue until all affected areas are secured and normalcy is restored, the administration said.
