Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday took stock of the temple situation in the state and said that over 21 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents. He urged people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Sukhu visited the Summer Hill area in Shimla, where a temple collapsed due to heavy rains. Nine bodies have been recovered from the debris so far, and rescue operations are still underway. The chief minister expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured them of all possible help.
He also visited the Sainj valley in Kullu district, which was badly affected by the floods. Several houses and bridges have been washed away, and communication lines have been disrupted. Sukhu announced a relief of Rs 1 crore for the area and said that the government will provide all necessary assistance to the affected people.
The chief minister appealed to the people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. He said that the weather conditions are still very bad and there is a risk of landslides and flash floods.
Sukhu also directed the officials to take all necessary measures to prevent loss of life and property. He said that the priority is to rescue the people who are trapped in the affected areas and to provide them with food, shelter, and medical care.
The chief minister has also asked the district administrations to be on alert and to take all necessary precautionary measures. He said that the government is fully prepared to deal with any situation.
The heavy rains have caused widespread damage in Himachal Pradesh. Several roads have been blocked, and power supply has been disrupted in some areas. The government has deployed teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to the affected areas.
The chief minister has urged the people to cooperate with the rescue and relief operations. He has also asked them to stay calm and not to spread rumors.
The rains are expected to continue for the next few days. The government has asked the people to be prepared for the worst.