Flash floods in Himachal Pradesh’s Una district have caused havoc in the industrial sector, notably in the Bathu-Bathri industrial region in Haroli tehsil. According to district administration authorities, the disaster caused an estimated loss of ₹100 crore.
The Haroli Industries Association claimed that 22 industrial facilities were seriously damaged, with many sustaining major damage. The floods have also put around 1,000 employees at risk. In addition to economic losses, the floods killed three people, including a seven-year-old girl from Bihar.
The Bathu-Bathri Industrial Area was especially heavily impacted, with machinery and commodities destroyed when floods overwhelmed the units. A petrol pump located near the Garhshankar Road bridge was also washed away in the deluge.
Haroli Block Industries Association president Rakesh Kaushal emphasized the need for immediate action, suggesting that the Bathri Khad should be channelized to prevent such incidents in the future. “The industries have faced damage to the tune of around ₹100 crore. We are in contact with the government, requesting a relief package for the affected industries,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited the flood-ravaged areas on Monday to assess the damage. Director of Industries Rakesh Prajapati also conducted a parallel visit to the Bathu-Bathri area to evaluate the extent of the losses.
SK Sharma, vice-president of one of the heavily impacted industries, expressed the dire situation faced by the local businesses. “The flash floods have put us in an unfortunate situation. We are appealing to the government for some relaxation in setting up new plants,” he said.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a flash flood warning for Sirmaur district, forecasting further heavy rain in the coming days. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said that 75 routes, including two national highways, were closed on Wednesday, with Shimla and Mandi districts being the most hit.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh also visited the flood-affected families in Rajban, Mandi, assuring them of all possible assistance during this challenging time.
