Shimla: Shimla and the upper regions of Himachal Pradesh have been grappling with relentless heavy rainfall and snowfall over the past 24 hours, leading to landslides and significant disruptions in daily life.
The continuous downpour has melted the snow in Shimla and surrounding areas, further dropping temperatures and creating a bone-chilling cold. The harsh weather conditions are not only affecting residents but also those who rely on daily wage work for their livelihood.
In Shimla city, the dipping mercury and ceaseless rain have made it exceedingly difficult for locals and workers to carry on with their routines. Among those most affected are daily laborers who brave the severe weather conditions to ensure essential services reach the public.
Shailesh Khan, a local worker responsible for delivering gas cylinders door-to-door, expressed his struggles in the current weather. “The weather in Shimla has been extremely poor for the past two days, making work very challenging. Delivering cylinders has become a daunting task due to the continuous rain and freezing cold. The cold is unbearable, making our work harder,” he said.
Khan highlighted the lack of basic facilities to combat the cold. “We have to work from morning till evening despite the dropping temperatures. There are no facilities to protect us from the cold,” he added, his frustration evident.
Pradeep, another worker who has been living in Shimla for the past 4-5 years, also shared his challenges. “Ours is an emergency service, so we have to work regardless of the weather. Since yesterday, the rain has been heavy, and the conditions are harsh. To ensure there’s no shortage of cylinders for people, we have to deliver them despite the rain and cold,” he said.
Residents have also been severely impacted by the unrelenting rain and cold. Durganand, a long-time local, described the difficulties people are facing. “We don’t know how long this weather will last, but it’s causing a lot of problems. It’s tough to even light a fire,” he said.