Shimla/Dharamshala, July 14 -- Rain related fury this monsoon season has wrecked Himachal with colossal damage to lives and property. While 98 people have died since the onset of monsoon since June 20, 34 people are still missing, even as dozens of houses, roads, along with other structures have been harmed with the state suffering a loss of Rs.800 crore.

But this is not something new, Himachal has been grappling with this issue for the past many years now. With climate change being one of the reasons, the experts have also pointed to unchecked construction, flawed development models, and ecological disregard, a leading reason for this.

These recurrent incidents of cloudbursts have also forced the government to push for their study. Apa...