Heavy Rainfall and Landslide Threats in Himachal Pradesh: Key Updates and Warnings
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Himachal Pradesh is bracing for heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours, with the Meteorological Department forecasting precipitation across various regions of the state. High-altitude areas are expected to face a significant risk of landslides. Travelers are advised to avoid these elevated regions due to potential hazards.
Weather Alerts and Travel Advisories
The Meteorological Department has issued a fresh warning for Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla, urging residents to remain vigilant. In the meantime, recent rainfall has already affected roads and national highways. Notably, on the Chandigarh-Manali NH, a rockfall at Four Mile injured two passengers in a car.
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Currently, over 142 roads remain blocked across the state, causing considerable disruption to transportation.
Monsoon Season Damage
The ongoing monsoon season has already resulted in damages exceeding ₹1,000 crores. Despite this significant financial impact, the anticipated heavy rains have yet to materialize. According to weather reports, precipitation until July 13 has been 24% below the normal levels. The average rainfall expected for July is 486.2 mm, but the state has received less than this figure so far.
Rescue Operations Stalled
Rescue operations following the recent cloudbursts have yielded no results so far. Efforts in Shimla and Kullu on Wednesday failed to recover any missing individuals, leading to the suspension of the operation by 5 PM. After 14 days, the number of teams involved has been reduced from three to two in areas like Sumej and Sunni.
Road Closures and Infrastructure Impact
Shimla and Mandi are experiencing the highest number of road closures, with 73 and 22 roads blocked respectively, and 20 in Kullu. Two national highways are also disrupted. Additionally, 209 transformers are non-functional, and 47 water supply schemes are facing shortages, with Shimla being the worst affected with 21 schemes impacted.
The Public Works Department (PWD) and the Water Resources Department have estimated losses of ₹436 crores and ₹403 crores, respectively, due to the monsoon’s effects.
Stay Updated
Residents and travelers are urged to stay informed about weather conditions and road closures. Authorities recommend avoiding non-essential travel to high-altitude areas and adhering to safety advisories.
