Cold desert region affected; 133 deaths due to calamities reported in state
A road in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti region blocked after a cloudburst. Photo: Rohit Prashar Over 30 flash flood incidents and seven cloudbursts have battered Himachal within a month of the onset of monsoon 2022. There have been 133 deaths due to natural calamities in the state so far.
Himachal Pradesh’s cold desert — the Spiti region — has also recorded rain and cloudburst this year. The region usually receives very little rainfall.
This year, two major disasters hit the region in 10 days. Cloudburst struck near the Sumdo check post near the China border on July 19, 2022. On July 28, Giu village adjacent to the border was also flooded.
Read more: DTE Explains: The science of cloudbursts
The region receives so little rain that 15 minutes of downpour wreaked havoc, Vijay Kumar of Hurling Panchayat told Down To Earth.
The rainwater collected in the high land and then sudden flash floods washed away the roads approaching the village.
The access to the village is blocked and locals are facing difficulties in commuting. Regular calamities like these have the locals on edge.
Lahaul — another part of the same district — has also seen an increase in cloudbursts and floods.
The roads have been heavily damaged in the last week due to floods in several regional areas.
A cloudburst in Lahaul’s Karpat on July 28 destroyed a bridge. Traffic movement on the roads connecting Manali-Leh, Pangi-Killar and Kaza were also severely affected.
Another cloudburst incident was reported on July 28 in Kullu district’s Chanaighad area. There were six deaths reported and 12 buildings were damaged.
This year, Himachal Pradesh has faced a loss of Rs 450 crore during the monsoon season.
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