Lahaul-Spiti/Udaipur, May 19,
Heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood near Jungle Camp in Sub-Division Udaipur on Monday, forcing the closure of the vital SKTT Road (Sansari-Killar-Tindi-Thirot). The incident has severely disrupted movement in the tribal belt of Lahaul and Pangi.
According to updates from the Police Rescue Station in Tindi and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) 94 RCC, road clearance efforts are currently underway but have been temporarily suspended due to relentless rainfall. Authorities have advised residents and travelers to avoid non-essential movement on this route until weather conditions stabilize and debris is cleared.
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In a related development, a landslide near Nalda has blocked the flow of the ChandraBhaga River, creating a potential flood hazard downstream. Officials have issued an urgent advisory for residents in low-lying areas to evacuate immediately and shift to higher, safer ground.
In response to the situation, district authorities have activated emergency helplines to assist affected residents. The District Disaster Control Room can be reached at 9459461355, while another control room is operational at 8988092298. Continuous updates on road and weather conditions will be made available through these channels.
While the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh face flooding and landslides, the lower hill regions and plains are battling an intense heatwave. Una recorded the state’s highest temperature at 41°C, while Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti remained the coldest at 3.5°C.
Scattered rainfall brought some relief to several regions. Mandi received the highest rainfall at 16.4 mm, followed by Jot in Chamba (15.8 mm), Kukumseri (13.2 mm), and Kangra (12.4 mm). Other areas reporting significant precipitation include Bharmour, Pandoh, Karsog, Rampur, Jogindernagar, Palampur, Seobagh, and Gohar.
Gusty winds were reported across several districts, with Reckong Peo experiencing wind speeds of 54 kmph. Similar conditions were recorded in Hamirpur-Neri, Tabo, Bilaspur, Kufri, and Sundernagar. Thunderstorms and hailstorms affected Kangra, Palampur, Jot, Bhuntar, Kalpa, Mandi, and Sundernagar, further complicating travel and increasing the risk of property damage.
Minimum temperatures across the state varied widely. Shimla recorded 16.6°C, Sundernagar 19.2°C, Bhuntar 18°C, Kalpa 10.8°C, Dharamshala 12.6°C, and Una 21.6°C. Other districts reported night-time temperatures ranging from 12°C to 22°C.
Weather forecast and tourism update
The Meteorological Department has forecast rain and thunderstorms at isolated places over the next 24 hours and has maintained a heatwave alert for the foothills and plains. Despite the extreme weather, mid and upper hill tourist destinations are experiencing partly cloudy skies and light showers, offering a refreshing escape for visitors.
Stay tuned for more updates on Himachal Pradesh’s weather and road conditions. Bookmark us for alerts and verified news.
