12 August, Himachal: Bathu Bathri industrial region in Una district suffered over Rs 100 crore damage today as a result of a flash flood in a nearby stream. According to sources, a flash flood occurred in a local watercourse in Una’s Bathu Bathri district following heavy rain during the night. Five migrant workers from a slum near the rivulet were killed after being trapped in a flash flood.
Flashflood situation in Bathu Bathri industrial region, Una, Himachal
The Una district administration had retrieved three deceased bodies as of the time of submitting this report. Water penetrated the industrial units along the rivulet, causing extensive damage. According to sources, Vardhman Industries, Preetika Auto, Uphar Cable, and Escon Industries suffered the most damage. Furthermore, numerous small-scale units were submerged in the flashflood.
According to Rakesh Kaushal, president of the Tahliwal, Bathu Bathri industrial association, major damage has occurred as a result of a flash flood in a nearby rivulet. “We had been demanding that the Bathu Bathri rivulet, which runs through the industrial region, be channelized. Although the majority of the Swan River’s tributaries in the area have been channelized, the rivulets in the industrial sector have not. We are once again requesting that the Bathu Bathri rivulet be channelized so that such incidents do not occur in the future,” he added.
Kaushal further claimed that the local rivulet had changed channel due to illicit mining in the area.
The Bathu Bathri region is in the Assembly constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. When asked, Agnihotri stated that NDRF units had been requested to assist with the rescue operations.
Read: Launch of Himachal’s own OTT platform
