SHIMLA/MANDI: The fertile Balh Valley, often referred to as Mini Punjab, faced a devastating deluge today as flash floods swept through the valley sending thousands of locals in panic running for safety at roof tops and fleeing their homes to higher elevation.
Houses, shops, show rooms and even the proposed Green Field Airport site succumbed to the waters. The situation worsened as the surging Rati, Kansa, Suketi rivers and others seasonal nallahs overflowed their banks, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake in the Balh valley.
All the roads-SundarnagarChail Chowk,Mandi-Riwalsar,Dharampur,Mandi-Kullu-Highway at Pandoh and Mandi-Janjheli- were blocked at various places by landslides.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a high alert for relentless heavy rainfall for August 12 and 13 that has made the flood situation worse as the district disaster teams remained helpless spectators, though no loss of life was reported so far.
Aerial views of the valley depicted the extent of the flood that followed daylong of unyielding rain in Mandi district and adjoining regions of Himachal Pradesh.
The flood water forced residents to seek shelter within their homes and prompted an advisory for people to exercise caution and refrain from unnecessary venture out of homes.
The Balh valley's vital agricultural heartlands, including Kummi, Ner Chowk, Dadaur, Balh, and Rati, witnessed floods swamping crops and homes, creating distressing conditions for patients at Rati and Ner Chowk Hospitals.
As the waters rose, panic spread among the residents stranded in waist-deep floods. The safety of the valley's inhabitants became a pressing concern.
In Shimla City, a crucial road link, the Kasumpti-Panthaghati Road, was shut down due to cracks caused by the heavy rains.
The fresh landside pumped debris on the Chakki Morh and blocked the Kalka-Shimla Highway today. NHAI has deployed machines to clear the landslide that struck its blow for the third time.
Meanwhile, the 15th-century Nalagarh Fort faced an imminent threat, with a portion of the historic site crumbling due to landslides driven by unrelenting rains.
The Himachal Pradesh state disaster authority acted promptly, issuing alerts in response to IMD's prediction of sustained heavy rainfall on August 12 and 13.
This warning urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, given the increasing incidents of sinking roads, building collapses, rockslides, and surging water bodies, including rivers and khads.
In response to the situation, the Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, has directed all district Superintendents of Police to be on high alert. Hospitals have been advised to be prepared for emergencies and ensure safety measures.
District Senior Superintendents of Police and Station House Officers are tasked with regularly updating the public through social media and other communication channels, providing essential information about safe travel during adverse weather.
The public is strongly urged to exercise caution, avoid non-essential travel, and stay informed about the developing situation to ensure their safety during these challenging weather conditions.
As the state continues to reel under the nature fury, the safety and well-being of the populace remain a top priority.
