State Government Closes All Educational Institutions on July 10-11, CBSE and ICSE Schools Yet to Decide
Shimla, July 9
Heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread disruption and damage, leading the state government to announce the closure of all educational institutions on July 10 and 11. The decision comes as roads, paths, bridges, and highways have been washed away due to the extremely heavy rainfall.
A spokesperson for the state government stated that in light of the heavy rains and subsequent flooding, all government and private educational institutions recognized by the state government will remain closed on July 10 and 11.
The Kiratpur-Manali Four lane road has suffered significant damage, with sections of the Beas river eroding the footwall and several vehicles parked along the riverbank being swept away. Flash floods have also caused damage to valley and main bridges. Reports indicate that the Beas, Satluj, Ravi, and Chenab rivers are experiencing high water levels.
According to the District Disaster Management Authority in Mandi, six people were stranded in their homes due to the rising water level of the Vyas river. The HP SDRF Mandi team has been dispatched to provide assistance.
The Mandi-Kullu road near Katula, close to Command near Horse-Farm, has been closed due to a landslide. However, it has been reopened for small vehicles. Additionally, the Mandi Pandoh NH 6 has been closed in two to three places due to landslides. The Vaya Chailchowk road remains open for travel from Kullu to Mandi. The administration advises people to avoid unnecessary travel due to the heavy rainfall. The Mandi police are overseeing the situation.
The Chamba Pathankot Chamba NH near Banikhet has been blocked due to cracks in the road.
The Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of three lives in a landslide incident in Kumarsain tehsil of Shimla District. He extended his prayers for the deceased souls and offered support to the grieving family. The Chief Minister directed the district administration to provide immediate relief to the affected family.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the closure of all government and private schools affiliated with the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board, as well as government and private colleges affiliated with Himachal Pradesh University and Sardar Patel University, for the next two days (July 10 and 11, 2023). Private schools affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, and other education boards may decide whether to close their schools for the two days, considering ongoing exams and local weather conditions. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of students and employees at all levels.
In light of the bad weather forecast, the state government has alerted the concerned district administrations to take safety measures and inform the public accordingly. The Chief Minister appealed to the people of the state to stay away from rivers and streams and remain vigilant during the adverse weather conditions. He urged the public to cooperate with the district administration and follow the advisories issued by the authorities.
In Shimla City, landslides disrupted traffic at Tawi Mor and Tutu, leading to one-way traffic flow. A tree was uprooted between Tutikandi crossing and ISBT, causing traffic to move in one direction. Fortunately, three individuals narrowly escaped as their car was hit by the falling tree.
A landslide near Kumar House on the road from Vidhansabha to Annadel has blocked the road. The Mehli-Junga road is also blocked due to fallen trees near Mehli.
Outside the town, a landslide occurred beneath the iron bridge near Ghandal on Shimla-Manali National Highway-205, resulting in one-way traffic on the bridge. Shimla Police has advised commuters traveling from Shimla to Arki, Shalaghat, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi to pass through the iron bridge near Ghandal. Vehicles coming from Arki, Shalaghat, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi towards Shimla should use the Bangora (Galog), Kalihatti, Nalhatti, Haridevi, Ghanahatti road.
The newly built Theog iron bridge on National Highway 05 has been closed to all loaded trucks until the weather improves. However, it remains open to other traffic and will be reopened once conditions normalize.
The Narkanda to Nankhari road is blocked due to a landslide near Bathnal. Traffic on the Shimla-Rampur National Highway near Narkanda (Barubagh) is restricted to one-way traffic due to a fallen tree, but efforts are underway to clear the road. While the Chopal Shimla road is open for traffic, several link roads in the Chopal area have been blocked. The Shimla-Solan National Highway is open for highway traffic.
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