Environmentalists in Himachal Pradesh’s capital, Shimla, have called for the implementation of urgent remedial measures after an expert committee set up by the State government recently released its report revealing the main reasons why the hill town suffered major damage during this year’s monsoon.
The State witnessed unprecedented losses as heavy rains in two spells — the first between July 9 and 11, and the second spell from August 13 to 16 — triggered cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides.
The monsoon that started on June 24, withdrew from the hill State with a delay of 12 days from its normal date of departure, i.e. September 24, after bringing 21% excess rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department’s office in Shimla.
