A holiday has been declared on 16 and 17 August in Mandi district for all private and government educational institutions, vocational training centres, and Anganwadi centres. District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chowdhary has issued orders in this regard. The decision has been taken in view of the rains and landslides which has caused road blockage in several parts of the district. Arindam Chowdhary has asked the heads of all educational institutions to ensure compliance of the orders. The administration had initially declared a holiday for educational institutes in the district on 14 August in view of the heavy rains and safety concerns. The order states that due to heavy rains in the district, 403 roads including two National Highways have been blocked.
“Landslides are occurring from time to time in many places. In such a situation, it would not be safe for the students and staff to travel to educational institutions. In view of this, a holiday has been kept in all the schools of the district on August 16 and 17,” the order stated. While appealing to all the people to be careful, the Deputy Commissioner has instructed them not to travel near rivers and drains and in landslide-prone areas. He also urged people to immediately report any cases to designated phone numbers of the District Disaster Management Center in Mandi in case of any emergencies.
Additionally, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took stock of the devastation caused by incessant rainfall from the District Magistrates. According to Himachal CMO, Sukhu assessed about the situation from District Magistrates over the phone. He will also chair the meeting of the High Powered Committee, scheduled this evening. “The reopening of schools will be decided based on weather conditions. One Army helicopter is deployed in Shimla for any emergency,” he said. CM Sukhu further informed that ongoing search and rescue efforts are in progress round-the-clock within the affected region.
Several houses collapse in Shimla
SHIMLA: Amid incessant rainfall several houses collapsed in Shimla, officials said on Tuesday. According to Aditya Negi, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, a hill collapsed in the Krishna Nagar area in Shimla, following which, around five to seven houses collapsed. However, he said that no details of people being stranded have been received so far. At least 55 people have lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh after heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in the State triggering landslides, cloudbursts and blocked roads. Earlier in the day, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the toll is likely to go up and said that Solan, Shimla, Mandi, and Hamirpur are among the worst-affected districts in the state. In light of the unfortunate situation, the state decided not to hold any cultural festivities for Independence Day.
