Shimla, August 10 (Udaipur Kiran) – The monsoon is in full swing in Himachal Pradesh, bringing heavy rains. Due to landslides caused by the intense rainfall, many roads are blocked, disrupting transportation. The weather department has issued a heavy rain alert until August 16. There is also a flood warning for Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Mandi districts over the next 24 hours. Locals and tourists are advised to stay away from rivers and streams and avoid traveling in areas prone to landslides.
According to the State Emergency Operations Center, landslides have blocked 128 roads in the state. Mandi district has the highest number, with 60 roads closed. Kullu has 37, Shimla 21, Kangra 5, Kinnaur 4, and Hamirpur 1 road blocked. Additionally, 44 power transformers and 67 drinking water schemes across the state are out of service. In Mandi, 36 transformers are down; Kullu has 5, Chamba 2, and Hamirpur 1. In terms of water supply, Shimla has 32 schemes down, Kullu 25, Lahaul Spiti 7, and Bilaspur 3.
In the last 43 days of the monsoon season, 184 people have died in rain-related incidents. This includes 81 deaths from road accidents and 103 from other monsoon-related events. Additionally, 46 people are missing. The monsoon has completely destroyed 101 houses and partially damaged 211. Also, 26 shops and 209 animal shelters have been ruined. The total estimated damage is 842 crore rupees.
Dr. Kuldeep Srivastava, Director of the Shimla Meteorological Center, stated that an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall will be in place today for the plains and mid-hill regions of the state. He advised residents of Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Mandi to stay alert over the next 24 hours due to the risk of flash floods. The state might see heavy rain for the next six days, with a yellow alert issued for most areas until August 16.
Dr. Srivastava also reported that the highest rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours was 168 millimeters in Nahan, Sirmaur. Sandhol in Hamirpur and Mandi recorded 106 millimeters, Nagarota Surria in Kangra 94 millimeters, Dhaulakua in Sirmaur 67 millimeters, Jubbarhatti in Shimla 54 millimeters, and Kandaghat in Solan 46 millimeters.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.