Severe Weather warning: Red alert issued for Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, July 8
The Indian Meteorological department has issued a ‘Red alert’ for extremely heavy monsoon rain in Himachal Pradesh on July 9. The alert applies to six districts, including Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi. The IMD’s advisory states that extremely heavy rain is likely to occur around 1330 hrs on July 9.
Also, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to affect many places in Himachal Pradesh today. The IMD has also issued a warning of extremely heavy rain at isolated places in the districts of Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Hamirpur in the next 24 to 48 hours. Prior to this, the IMD had already issued an orange alert in nine districts for today and tomorrow. The combined effect of the Southwest Monsoon and a major western disturbance could result in heavy rainfall causing havoc in the state on July 8 and 9.
A report from Dadahu market in Sirmaur district reveals that the roof and walls of a shop in the main market of Dadahu have been damaged due to landslides. The shop owner, Amarnath, who runs a washerman’s shop in Dadahu market, reported no loss of life. However, valuable property, including clothes, furniture, and other items belonging to customers, has been damaged and buried under the rubble and debris of the house. The incident came to the knowledge of the shop owner’s son in the morning. Revenue Officer Dadahu Ramamurthy visited the spot to assess the damage caused by this natural calamity. The administration estimated the loss to be around Rs 50,000.
In the past 24 hours, Nahan received 63 mm of rainfall, Dhaula Kuan 39 mm, Shimla 46 mm, Mashobra 22 mm, Dharmpur in Solan 33.8 mm, and Kasauli 26 mm. The minimum temperature in Bharmour, Chamba, dropped to eight degrees Celsius today. The incessant rainfall has affected air and road transport in the state. Jubbarhatti, Bhuntar, and Gagal airports did not operate any flights on Saturday.
Also read:Advisories for farmers as Himachal Pradesh braces for severe weather conditions
An orange alert has been issued for the next two days in nine districts, including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur. The rest of the state, including Kullu, is under a yellow alert. The heavy rainfall expected at some places may disrupt vehicular traffic and other essential services. Flash floods along watersheds and other channels are possible in districts like Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Sirmaur, and Solan. Power and communication facilities may be affected in the mid and foothill areas of the state. Localized flooding of roads and occasional reduction in visibility may also impact traffic movement in certain areas.
The Meteorological Office has also issued warnings of landslides and mudslides at vulnerable places, which may lead to road blockages. Flash floods are possible along major water streams and rivers. The Met Department has issued warnings about rising water flow in the catchment areas of the Beas, Ravi, and Satluj rivers. Due to recent heavy precipitation, there may be rolling down of boulders and landslides in the districts of Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Solan. The possibility of landslides along the Kalka-Shimla National Highway may cause traffic congestion. In Sirmuar district, landslides along the road are also predicted.
Tourists and people planning journeys are advised to check for traffic congestion on their route before leaving and to follow any traffic advisories and guidelines issued by the concerned departments. People should avoid going to areas that frequently experience water logging problems and avoid staying in vulnerable structures. No rain advisory has been issued for Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur districts for the next 24 hours.
The IMD Hydromet Division in New Delhi has also issued a warning of water logging and flash flood risk until 1300 on July 9. According to the IMD, there is a moderate to high risk in a few watersheds and nearby areas of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, and Sirmaur. The warning states that surface runoff or inundation may occur in fully saturated watersheds and low-lying areas due to the expected persistent rainfall in the next 24 hours.
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