Himachal rains shut 87 roads, pilgrims stranded in Chamba
Heavy rains battered Himachal Pradesh on Monday, August 17, forcing the closure of 87 roads across the state, while a flood washed away an iron bridge in Chamba district, leaving around 40-50 pilgrims stranded. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for four districts for Tuesday, August 18.
The bridge in Baloth gram panchayat in the Bharmaur area of Chamba was damaged by strong floodwaters, cutting off the route used by pilgrims travelling to Maa Bhagwati Khundhi Wali temple.
Former village pradhan Pawan Sharma said around 40-50 pilgrims were stranded after the pathway was washed away.
The pilgrims were later rescued after local residents constructed a temporary wooden footbridge to help them cross the affected stretch safely.
"Showing promptness, the locals constructed a temporary wooden footbridge and helped the pilgrims cross safely," Sharma said.
A large number of devotees use the route to reach the temple, with pilgrims traditionally taking a holy dip in Mata Dal Lake on the occasion of 'Jyeshtha Mangalwar', a Tuesday in the Jyeshtha month.
According to villagers, devotees cover around 35-40 km on foot to reach the temple.
Rain continued in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, with Katula recording the highest rainfall at 74.4 mm since Sunday, August 16, evening. Jot received 52.6 mm, Dharamshala 30.1 mm, Sarahan 20.2 mm and Jogindernagar 15 mm.
The Shimla Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday.
The state is expected to experience a wet spell until August 23, while a yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall has been issued from Wednesday, August 18, to Friday, August 21.
According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), Kullu recorded the highest number of road closures at 33, followed by Mandi with 27.
Nine roads were closed in Shimla, six in Kangra, four each in Sirmaur and Una, and one in Lahaul and Spiti.
Since the onset of the monsoon on June 30, 80 people have died in rain-related incidents in the state, including 14 in landslides and one in a flash flood, officials said.
The state has suffered estimated losses of Rs 994 crore due to the monsoon-related damage.
(Inputs from PTI)
