Mandi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur on Monday urged the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government to look into the devastation occurred to flash floods and heavy rainfall in Thunag bazaar area of Mandi district with “seriousness.”
Speaking to the reporters, Thakur pointed that a mass destruction has been occurred in the area and it will cost in lakhs for people to rebuild their shops and homes.
The BJP MP said, “When you come here, you will see what a natural disaster looks like… There are many people here whose homes have been destroyed and shops devastated. In Thunag’s market, where the mud was up to 12 feet high, the damage runs into lakhs. Now, people have to spend thousands to clear the mud, and setting up their shops again will cost them lakhs more. The compensation, however, is Rs 2500. What will happen in Rs 2500?”
“I urge the state government should look into this matter with great seriousness… I feel that government employees and officials need to step up their efforts… We do not want to play politics on this issue…” he added.
Thunag in Mandi district is severely affected by the torrential rains and flash floods on the night of June 30 and July 1.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for six districts of Himachal Pradesh, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days, while also cautioning about continued rain activity across the state till July 20.
According to Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, moderate rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours in districts including Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Mandi.
“For July 14 and 15, we expect light to moderate rainfall in most mid-hill and low-hill districts. However, Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts are under Orange Alert for today due to the likelihood of heavy to heavy rainfall, and this activity will continue tomorrow as well,” Sharma said.
He further informed that for July 15, districts including Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur have been put under Orange Alert for very heavy rainfall, while Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kullu districts may witness isolated heavy rain for which a Yellow Alert has been issued.
“This spell of active monsoon is expected to continue from July 16 to July 20, during which Una, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts may receive heavy rainfall at isolated places,” said Sharma.
Discussing the seasonal rainfall trends, Sharma noted that there is an increase in monsoon rainfall above the normal.