Total loss in state Rs 566 cr; red alert for extremely heavy rain in 3 dists today

The total loss caused by torrential rain in Himachal Pradesh has reached Rs 566.87 crore even as heavy rainfall continued to wreak havoc. At present, 236 roads are blocked for vehicular traffic in the state, including 176 in Mandi district, 36 in Kullu, 12 in Kangra, four each in Shimla, Sirmaur and Una districts, and three in Chamba district. Also, 239 power distribution transformers, including 230 in Mandi, 20 in Chamba, six in Lahaul and Spiti and two in Kullu districts, and 289 water supply schemes, including 278 in Mandi, eight in Hamirpur and three in Shimla district, are still disrupted.

Meanwhile, a red alert for extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places has been issued for Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts for tomorrow. An orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in isolated places has been issued for Shimla, Solan, Kullu, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Chamba and Una districts. A warning of flashfloods in Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur and Chamba districts has also been given for the next 24 hours.

As per the state’s Meteorological Department, light to moderate rain is very likely to continue at most places till July 11 with one or two spells of heavy rain at isolated places on July 7 and 8. Also, the maximum temperatures are very likely to fall by 2°C to 4°C in the state in the next three to four days while the minimum temperatures are expected to remain normal. As per the Hydromet Division of the Indian Meteorological Department, moderate risk of flashfloods is very likely in few watersheds of Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts during the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rain was observed at isolated areas in the state in the past 24 hours. Jogindernagar in Mandi district received 50 mm of rain, highest in the state, followed by Palampur (28.8 mm) in Kangra.

Himachal Tribune