Flash flood and surface runoff alerts Issued amid monsoon havoc in Himalayan States
Shimla, Aug 23
The Hydro met division of the Indian Meteorological Department has issued Flash Flood Risk (FFR) and Surface Runoff/Inundation (SR/I) alerts for multiple areas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab. Monsoon rains and Western disturbances have persisted in the North Western Himalayan states for the past four months, saturating watersheds and low-lying regions. This has prompted the division to issue alerts due to the anticipated continuous rainfall over the next 24 hours.
The Flash Flood National Guidelines bulletin for the state of Himachal Pradesh, outlining the FFR outlook until 1000 hrs on August 24, 2023, has issued two warnings for Himachal Pradesh, certain parts of Uttarakhand, and a significant portion of Punjab. The alert indicates a moderate to high flash flood risk in various watersheds and areas adjacent to Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, Hamirpur, Solan, Bilaspur, and Kullu districts in Himachal Pradesh. The alert also warns of potential surface runoff and inundation in fully saturated watersheds and low-lying zones due to the expected persistent rainfall in the next 24 hours.
The situation of intense rainfall and water saturation has led to a critical scenario where air, rail, and land transport in the hilly states are practically paralyzed. In response to the red alert, educational institutions from Aganwari to the university level in the Shimla capital region and district have been closed for two days. Reports from the state disaster management authority indicate that National Highway 21, from Chandigarh to Kiratpur, is disrupted due to the damage of two pillars of the Main Baddi Bridge in the BBN industrial area, causing traffic diversion to alternate routes.
The old Hindustan Tibet National Highway from Ambala to Kaurik in Kinnuar district has been disrupted at Chaki Mod since this morning. However now the NH 5 has been opened for light vehicles.
Shimla Bypass road and Shimla-Chhota Shimla routes are also inaccessible for vehicles. NH-3 between Mandi and Manali has been disrupted for a considerable period after four lanes were washed away. The SDMA reports that four national highways and 530 major roads, along with power and water supply, are affected. There are disruptions in 2897 distribution transformer regions and 314 water supply schemes. Among the affected regions, Mandi has 213 roads (including NH 3 & 154), Solan 134, Shimla 58, Bilaspur 50, Hamirpur 33, and Kulu 24. Mandi district has 1142 downed distribution transformers, Shimla has 598, Hamirpur has 376, Sirmaur has 158, and Kullu has 124.
During the ongoing monsoon season from June 24 to August 22, the state has experienced 131 landslides and 60 flash flood incidents, resulting in 227 fatalities. Additionally, 121 individuals have died in rain-related road accidents. Over the entire rainy season so far, 348 people have lost their lives, and 336 have sustained injuries. The rain has caused extensive damage, with 2220 houses, 300 shops, and 4695 cow sheds completely destroyed, and 9819 houses partially damaged. The state has incurred a total monetary loss of approximately Rs 8100 Crore. Ninety-seven bridges have been damaged, and 19 have been completely washed away by the rain. Water levels in all 23 major dams are reported as normal until Tuesday, and water from nine dams is being released to maintain levels below the danger mark.
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