Shimla, 02 August: The result of not learning a lesson from the devastating disaster of 2023 in Himachal Pradesh is now coming to the fore again. On Thursday morning, the state witnessed another fierce form of nature, when heavy rains and landslides wreaked havoc in many districts. Unscientific digging of mountains, illegal mining and lack of strict policies on felling of trees have made these problems regular.
In the disaster of 2023, 57 people lost their lives in just one day on August 14, while the total death toll was 512. The state government had estimated a loss of Rs 12,000 crore, while the central team had agreed to a loss of Rs 9,000 crore. Last year too, this devastation had to be faced in the month of August itself.
In 2024, as soon as the month of August began, wounds of disaster have started coming from Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts. Thankfully, this time, the pace of monsoon is slow, otherwise the loss figure could have increased. A few hours of torrential rain has caused havoc. The process of digging mountains and building multi-storey buildings is going on in the entire state. For example, in Solan, buildings are being built by digging mountains in a radius of 5 to 10 kilometers. Even though these buildings are being built on private lands, but due to the lack of strict rules regarding digging of mountains, such disaster will have to be faced every time.
The big question is also that why do the rivers overflow in just one or two hours of rain. Experts argue that the old drains and ravines have been narrowed, due to which they are unable to withstand the intensity of water in fast flow. The question also arises that who passes the maps at dangerous places, when everything is visible in front. Even after the disaster of 2023, there has been no reduction in construction in the state, nor has construction stopped on the banks of rivers and streams.
On the other hand, large-scale illegal mining from rivers and streams in the plains is also ringing alarm bells for the future. Four people were confirmed dead in the cloudburst incident on Thursday, and 52 people are reported missing. With the passage of time, the hope of safe survival of the missing people is also diminishing. It is a matter of good fortune that the flow of tourists was less, otherwise the loss of life and property could have increased even more.
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