Rains batter Himachal Pradesh
The weather office on Sunday issued an ‘orange’ alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated parts of three to five districts of Himachal Pradesh between July 28 and 31.
On the other hand, 135 roads remain closed across the state due to landslides and flashfloods triggered by torrential rains, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). The highest number of closures have been reported in Kullu district with 54 roads closed for traffic, followed by 43 in Mandi, 15 in Shimla, eight in Chamba, five each in Kangra and Lahaul-Spiti, four in Sirmaur and one in Una.
The inclement weather has also affected 38 water supply schemes and 44 electrical transformers, according to SEOC data.
Since the onset of monsoon on June 30, landslides and flashfloods have claimed 15 lives across the state.
Light to moderate rainfall took place in most parts of the state in the 24 hours till Sunday evening, with Sundernagar receiving highest rainfall of 65.2 mm, followed by Malraon (55 mm), Kasol (48 mm), Jubberhatti (47.6 mm), Berthin (42.2 mm), Rampur (40.2 mm), Jot (36.2 mm), Sarahan (32.7 mm), Kataula (32.1 mm), Murari Devi (26 mm), Kahu (22.8 mm), Kasauli and Olinda (22 mm each).
The Shimla Meteorological Centre has forecast a wet spell across the state till August 1, issuing an ‘orange’ alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Mandi districts on July 28, in Una, Kangra and Sirmaur districts on July 29, and Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba and Kangra districts on July 30.
According to India Meteorological Department’s colour-coded weather warning system, an “orange alert” indicates severe weather is imminent, and cautions citizens of significant disruptions to transport and power, among others.
Himachal Pradesh has received 224.2 mm of rainfall against the normal 210.9 mm between July 1 and 26, an excess of 6 per cent.
Kukumseri in Lahual-Spiti was the coldest in the state on Sunday, recording a minimum of 12.8 degrees Celsius, while Una was the hottest with a maximum of 34.6 degrees Celsius.
