Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, August 29
Relentless downpours continue to batter Himachal Pradesh, where an orange weather alert has been issued across multiple districts until the end of the month. The meteorological centre in Shimla has warned of “very heavy to extremely heavy” rainfall, placing Kangra, Mandi, Una and Sirmaur under orange alert on Friday. On Saturday Chamba, Kangra and Kullu will be at risk, followed by Una, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur on Sunday. Other districts remain under a yellow alert.
Chamba has borne the brunt of the disaster. Landslides and swollen rivers have torn through roads and severed mobile networks, leaving thousands stranded in the pilgrimage town of Manimahesh. Officials insist that all devotees are safe, but many remain cut off as communication services remain down even four days after the first deluge.
The state government says relief is under way, but anger is mounting on the ground. Jank Raj, the Bharmaur BJP legislator, accused the authorities of failing to provide food and drinking water to those trapped. “Neither meals are being supplied, nor is there safe water. The government boasts of Himachal as a tourism state, but when thousands of tourists are stuck, no one seems to care,” he told reporters.
The opposition MLA has called for the immediate deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and army units, alongside government-run helicopter services to evacuate those stranded. “So far, only private helicopters are operating,” he said, urging nearby power projects and industries to step in with food supplies and water.
