Heavy Rainfall Forecast in Himachal Pradesh: IMD Issues Orange Alert

IMD Issues Orange Alert for Himachal Pradesh

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has once again issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall from Tuesday through late Thursday. According to the latest updates from the IMD, the orange alert will be in effect on Tuesday for the districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi. On Wednesday, this warning will extend to Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts. Additionally, a yellow alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for Shimla and Solan districts on Tuesday.

Impact of Continuous Rainfall

Due to the persistent rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, a total of 328 roads, including two national highways, have been closed for traffic. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) reported that as of Wednesday morning, the roads closed for vehicle movement include the Aut-Sainj road, part of National Highway-305, and the road from Khab to Gramphu (National Highway-505). Of the closed roads, 180 are located in Mandi district, while 74 are in the neighboring Kullu district.

Disruptions Caused by Fallen Trees

Officials noted that a tree fell on the circular road near Toland on Wednesday morning, causing inconvenience for school children and office-goers who had to walk to their destinations. The local weather department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in various locations across Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts on Thursday. Furthermore, a yellow alert has been issued for heavy rainfall in different areas of four to six districts from Friday to Sunday.

Weather Conditions and Damage Reports

The weather department indicated that monsoon activity is weakening, with light rain reported in some areas on Tuesday evening. The SEOC also reported that 37 transformers and 181 water supply schemes have been affected due to rain-related issues. From June 1 to August 10, the state has recorded 536.7 mm of rainfall, which is 13% above the normal of 486.2 mm. Officials stated that since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, the state has suffered losses amounting to ₹2018 crores, with 125 fatalities and 36 individuals still missing.