Himachal: 136% excess rains in Sept

TOTAL DEATH TOLL RISES TO 417

- ASHWANI SHARMA

Himachal Pradesh, reeling under a relentless spell of monsoon fury, has witnessed an alarming 136 per cent excess rainfall this month alone—up to September 17. The deluge has left the state devastated, claiming 417 lives so far.

Hours before Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu left for Delhi on his proposed private foreign trip beginning on September 18, Sukhu held a high-level meeting with top officials and DCs to review the situation arising out of heavy rains and landslides in the past 48 hours.

He expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and properties and directed all the concerned officers to take prompt action to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected people.