Heavy Rains Flood: 135 Roads Destroyed, 44 Power, 67 Water Supply Schemes Disrupted in Himachal Due to Torrential Rains, Government Issues Advisory

IMD Alert: Meteorologists have issued an ‘Orange Alert’, indicating a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain with thunder and lightning till August 16. This is followed by a ‘Yellow Warning’, which signals the need for continuous caution.

Heavy Rains: The torrential rains have devastated the peaceful landscape of Himachal Pradesh, causing landslides and floods and disrupting the daily lives of common people. Continuous rains have disrupted essential services, leaving many people without access to water and roads. A large number of roads, totaling 135, have been destroyed, disconnecting communities and bringing daily life to a standstill. The storm has also disrupted 44 power and 67 water supply schemes, plunging some parts of the state into darkness and water scarcity.

Meteorological Department Issues ‘Orange Alert’

Meteorologists have issued an ‘Orange Alert’, indicating a possibility of heavy rain with thunder and lightning till August 16. This is followed by a ‘Yellow Warning’, which signals the need for continuous caution. Nahan received 169 mm of rainfall on Friday night, while Sandhol received 106 mm. Other areas, including Nagrota Surian and Jubbarhatti, also experienced heavy rainfall.

IMD Issues Flood Warning

The Meteorological Department has warned of a medium risk of sudden floods in different areas of Mandi, Sirmaur, Shimla, and Kullu till Sunday morning. The Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner has advised people to stay away from water bodies and avoid taking shelter under trees during bad weather. The state is mourning, as over 100 people have lost their lives and approximately Rs 845 crore worth of damage has been reported since June 27, highlighting the fury of nature and the resilience of the people.

Weather Update: Over 100 Roads Affected

In Kullu district, 37 roads have been affected. The most affected areas are Nirmal Upmandal with 38 roads, Banjar with six roads, and Kullu Upmandal with three roads, where traffic has been disrupted. These roads have been damaged due to heavy rainfall. In Mandi district, 29 roads have been disrupted, with the most affected area being Dharampur Upmandal, where nine roads have been damaged. Additionally, Siraj has seven, Padhar has four, Sarkaghat has four, Thalout has three, and Jogindernagar has two roads affected by rainfall. Moreover, 17 roads in Shimla, one bridge, and four roads in Kangra, four in Kinnaur, and one in Lahaul-Spiti have also been disrupted.

Weather News: National Highway-5 Remains Closed for 18 Hours in Nigulsari

In the tribal district of Kinnaur, the National Highway-5 has become challenging to navigate in Nigulsari. The continuous landslides from the surrounding hills due to torrential rainfall have forced thousands of people to undertake perilous journeys. The highway was closed for almost 18 hours before being reopened for traffic around 3:30 pm on Saturday, bringing relief to travelers. It is essential to highlight that the frequent disruptions to this critical highway have forced civilians, including military personnel, to undertake journeys in hazardous conditions.