Several houses in Rampur area of Shimla district are developing cracks following incessant rains in the area, officials said on Monday, news agency ANI reported. Due to severe rains, more than a hundred houses have developed cracks, according to the official.
Speaking about the cracks, Tehsildar of Ramupr Jai Chand stated: “Because of excessive rain, there have been a lot of damage in the Rampur subdivision…more than 100 houses have developed cracks…relief works are being done, we are providing all the necessary items to the people.”
Highlighting the relief work by Air Force in HP, PRO Defence Palam tweeted: "Helicopter operations in Himachal Pradesh by @hqwaciaf continues unabated. Besides relief material, items and manpower to re-establish communications in areas cut off due to floods is also being undertaken."
Earlier on Friday night, heavy rain battered the Rampur district of Shimla, causing landslides and closing the Shimla-Kinnaur route (National route 5) near Jeori. After over 40 hours, the road at Borni nullah was reopened. Water and power were cut off in numerous areas, and some houses suffered cracks as a result of the rain.
"Continuous rain over the past three weeks has made the situation grim. Relief and restoration work is going on in full swing. Heavy machinery has been deployed to open the roads and people living in unsafe houses are being shifted to safer places," Nand Lal, a local MLA from Rampur was quoted by PTI in its report.
Since the start of the monsoon on June 24, 187 persons have perished in rain-related incidents and traffic accidents in Himachal Pradesh. According to government data, 34 persons have gone missing.
In the rain, around 702 dwellings were swept away, while 7,161 were slightly damaged. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, the state has sustained damages of Rs 5,620 crore as of July 28.
The local meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' signal, indicating that further heavy rain is expected on August 2. The state is expected to see rain till August 4.
A 'yellow' notice warns that weather conditions are likely to worsen, affecting regular operations.