A post-midnight storm wreaked havoc across Una district late on Sunday night, disrupting power supply from 886 transformers and causing damage to roads and private property in several areas.
By the time the report was filed, most parts of the district remained without electricity. A press release issued by the District Emergency Operations Centre stated that teams of technicians had been deployed to restore power supply in the affected areas.
The storm, which began around 1.30 am, also led to the temporary closure of the Bharwain-Chintpurni road after a tree fell across the route leading to the shrine. Police personnel, assisted by local residents and stranded devotees from Punjab, joined efforts to cut the fallen tree into pieces and clear the road for traffic.
In another incident, a tree fell on a residential building in Galua Ward of Una town, following which firefighters were requisitioned to remove the tree and prevent further damage.
Meanwhile, Anup Singh, a resident of Diara village employed as a security guard in a private company, alleged administrative negligence after a mango tree fell on his property during the storm, causing losses estimated at Rs 4-5 lakh.
He claimed that since mango is categorised as a restricted species for felling, he had been approaching the Forest, Revenue and Panchayati Raj departments for the past seven months seeking permission to remove the tree, which he said posed a threat to his property.
According to Singh, his application kept moving between the offices of the Forest Range Officer, Divisional Forest Officer, Patwari and Panchayat Secretary without any resolution. He has now demanded compensation from the government, stating that the damage occurred despite repeated requests for preventive action.
