Himachal weather: 150 roads blocked after heavy rain & landslides; rockslide hits moving bus in Sirmaur
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Heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, causing landslides and significant disruptions. The State Emergency Operations Centre reported that traffic was blocked on one national highway and 150 roads in the state as of 10 am on Saturday (July 6, 2024).
The most affected areas are the Mandi and Sirmaur districts. Additionally, 334 power transformers are down and 55 water supply schemes are affected.
A major road accident was narrowly averted in Sirmaur district on Saturday morning as a rock fell on a bus near Kalath on the Renuka-Sangdah road in Renuka Assembly constituency.
The bus driver and a woman were injured, but the bus avoided falling into a ditch, preventing a more severe accident. Passengers were shaken but are safe.
Significant rainfall was recorded overnight in several locations: Dharamshala (212.4 mm), Jogindernagar (169 mm), Kangra (157.6 mm), Baijnath (142 mm), Jot (95.4 mm), Nagrota Surian (90.2 mm), Sujanpur Tira (70 mm), Ghamrur (68.2 mm), Nadaun (63.0 mm) and Barthimen (58.8 mm).
In Kangra district, the Nagrota Suriyan-Gagal-Dharamshala road was closed due to a fallen banyan tree in Upper Lanj. The Public Works Department restored the road for small vehicles by 8 am, with efforts ongoing to clear it for larger vehicles. The closure caused significant inconvenience for local residents.
Rain continues to batter the districts of Kullu and Lahaul, making the weather cooler at the 13,050-foot high Rohtang pass. The Beas, Chandra and Parvati rivers are overflowing.
Eight roads have been closed in Kullu district and the Kullu bus stand has turned into a pond due to inadequate drainage, causing problems for passengers. Farmers and gardeners are both relieved and troubled by the rain; it is beneficial for crops such as apples, pears, and plums, but has caused immediate logistical challenges.
According to the Shimla Meteorological Centre, rains are expected to continue until July 12. A yellow alert for heavy rain and a flashflood alert have been issued for today. Shimla remains cloudy with light sunshine after nighttime rains.
The minimum temperatures recorded in various locations are: Shimla (15.8°C), Sundernagar (20.1°C), Bhuntar (13.4°C), Dharamsala (17.5°C), Una (21°C), Nahan (6.9°C), Palampur (16.5°C), Solan (20.2°C), Manali (15.2°C), Kangra (19.6°C), Mandi (21.1°C), Bilaspur (22.6°C), Chamba (21.5°C), Dalhousie (13.2°C), Rekong Peo (16.3°C), Dhaulakuan (25.1°C), Kasauli (18.1°C), Dehra Gopipur (24°C) and Bajaura (20.5°C).
