The rescue team deployed in Shimla recovered one more body from the debris of the collapsed Shiv temple in Summer Hill area on Thursday, taking the total death toll in the rain-hit Himachal Pradesh to 72.
Shimla alone witnessed 21 deaths since Sunday night in the three landslide incidents in Summer Hill, where the temple is located, as well as Fagli and Krishna Nagar. Summer Hill saw 14 deaths in the temple collapse and at least eight more people are still believed to be buried under the debris.
Rescue operations are going on in Krishna Nagar, where two bodies were found, as well as Summer Hill. Five bodies were recovered from Fagli.
P.L. Sharma, Department of Mathematics Chairman at Himachal Pradesh University, was identified as the latest victim in the temple collapse, said officials. He was among several devotees who had gone to the temple on August 14 to offer prayers on the sixth Monday of the Sawan month, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
At least 650 roads were blocked in the state due to the disaster. Officials say at least 1,135 transformers and 285 water supply schemes were also hit.
Principal Secretary (Revenue) Onkar Chand Sharma said on Wednesday that the losses in the monsoon season have touched 7,500 crore.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu told PTI that Himachal Pradesh rebuilding the roads and water projects damaged by the heavy rains will take a year and claimed the two devastating spells of heavy rains in July-August saw losses of about Rs 10,000 crore.
“It's a big challenge, a mountain-like challenge,” he said.
