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Flash floods in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, have caused significant damage to local businesses, particularly affecting vegetable sellers.
The Vegetable Association Union President, Budhi Prakash Sharma, said that the loss is estimated to be in crores of rupees. Many labourers have lost their jobs, exacerbating the economic strain on these vendors. While speaking to ANI, he said, "The loss is of crores of rupees. All are people, and the labour has become jobless. We are facing huge losses..." Chaman Kapoor, Chairman of the Hotel Industry, stated that while the hotel business had suffered losses in May and June, hopes of improvement in August had also been dashed due to the cloudburst and incessant rainfall. Furthermore, he added that not only hotel workers, but also vegetable and milk suppliers, had been affected. "In May and June, the business was down. The rain began at the beginning of July and August, resulting in fewer tourists. We expected to regain business towards the end of August, but due to the cloudburst and incessant rainfall, the Old Manali pul was swept away... Not just hotel owners, but everyone associated with it is also affected. Hotel workers, vegetable and milk suppliers are all affected..." Kapoor told ANI. The floods have washed away portions of the Manali-Leh highway and damaged multiple stretches of the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, disrupting transportation and access to markets. Local businesses, including shops and restaurants such as the iconic Sher-e-Punjab in Manali, have been severely impacted, with many vendors incurring significant losses. The state's losses have already touched 2,394 crore due to rain-related incidents, with 320 deaths reported. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has announced a special package for disaster-stricken states and sought assistance from the central government. Authorities are working to restore connectivity and provide relief to affected areas, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) assisting in rescue operations. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate rainfall over some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand today. Furthermore, it has also been predicted that gusty winds of around 40 kilometres per hour, accompanied by moderate rain at a rate of 5 to 15 millimetres per hour, will occur. Residents in all affected regions have been advised to remain vigilant, take all necessary precautions, and plan their travel accordingly. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has stated that the rehabilitation of people affected by the incessant rain and floods was a challenge for the government, but it would be overcome with the support of the people. (ANI)
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