The Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) issued an advisory for the districts of Himachal Pradesh (HP) State saying that from January 28 to January 29, people should not venture in avalanche prone slopes due to fresh rain and snowfall that occurred in the districts.
Fresh Rain and snowfall occurred in the Districts of Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmour, Kangra, Solan, and Chamba on January 27, 2019, and caused huge damage. Many roads were closed, electricity and water supplies have been affected also.
According to SASE Avalanche prone slopes in Manali are still loaded with snow and impracticable.
A spokesperson of the State government said that government is focusing to restore the electricity, water supply and roads at the earliest. Additional Chief Secretary Revenue & Public Works Department Manisha Nanda is monitoring the situation on the directions of the Chief Minister. State/District Level Emergency Operation Centers are on high alert in the state.
He stated that as per Public Works Department the total number of roads closed in the state are 413. Out of these 110 roads will be cleared by January 28 whereas, 206 roads will be opened by January 29, 2019, and remaining 97 roads will be opened shortly. The PWD loss has been assessed Rs. 69.22 crore which may increase after final assessment of loss and damage to the roads. Total 206 number of machinery has been deployed for restoration of the roads.
The representative said that as per Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board out of 1760 affected Distribution Transformers (DTRs), 1300 have been restored and balance 460 DTRs will be restored soon.
According to him, as per Irrigation & Public Health Department, a total of 362 IPH’s water supply schemes have been affected by this snowfall and total loss assessed is more than 6.86 crore. However, the number may rise as some of the areas are still inaccessible. The 310 schemes have been restored and restoration of remaining schemes will be done within the next two days.
