Heavy rain continues in Himachal Pradesh. 328 roads closed, power and water supply affected. IMD issues Orange and Yellow alerts. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and follow the instructions issued by the administration.
Shimla: The spell of heavy rain continues in Himachal Pradesh. The State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) reported on Wednesday that 328 roads have been closed to traffic due to continuous rainfall. This includes a portion of National Highway-305, the Aut-Sainj road, and the road from Khab to Gramphu. According to SEOC, 180 roads are closed in Mandi district and 74 in Kullu district.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Orange and Yellow alerts for Himachal Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the state for the next three days, from Tuesday to late Thursday night.
IMD Warning and Affected Districts
According to the IMD, an Orange alert will remain in effect in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts on Tuesday. On Wednesday, this warning will apply to Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts. A Yellow alert has also been issued for Shimla and Solan on Tuesday.
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi on Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, a Yellow alert will remain in effect for heavy rainfall in isolated areas of four to six districts.
Impact on Schools and Daily Life
The SEOC reported that citizens faced inconvenience in many areas due to rain and fallen trees. Near Tolland, a tree fell on Circular Road, forcing schoolchildren and office workers traveling by bus to walk to their destinations.
Local residents reported that daily life is being affected due to rain and closed roads. People in many areas are also facing difficulties with basic amenities like water and electricity.
Power and Water Supply Affected
The SEOC reported that 37 transformers and 181 water supply schemes have been affected due to the rain. This has disrupted the supply of water and electricity for local residents.
According to the Meteorological Department, from June 1 to August 10, the state has received 536.7 mm of rainfall, which is 13 percent more than the normal 486.2 mm. This has led to situations like floods and road closures in various parts of the state.
Overall Impact and Losses of the Monsoon
State government officials reported that Himachal Pradesh has suffered a loss of ₹2018 crore since the beginning of the monsoon on June 20. In this heavy rain, 125 people have lost their lives, and 36 people are still missing.
Due to continuous rain in the state, many roads, including National Highway-305 and 505, are closed. The SEOC reported that the closed roads also include the Aut-Sainj road and the road from Khab to Gramphu.
