Himachal weather: 2-day orange alert for very heavy rain in 3 districts, flashflood warning issued too; 161 killed in monsoon this year
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The monsoon season has once again intensified in Himachal Pradesh, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall on August 7 and August 10. Rain is forecast for most parts of the state on August 6, 8 and 9 as well, with a yellow alert in place and people told to remain vigilant.
The IMD has predicted that the districts of Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur are likely to experience particularly heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday (August 7, 2024), potentially leading to landslides, waterlogging and floods. An orange alert is issued when rainfall is expected to exceed 75 mm while a red alert is issued for rainfall over 125 mm.
In addition to the heavy rain warning, a moderate flashflood risk has been identified over several watersheds and neighbourhoods in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Sirmaur, Kinnaur and Shimla districts. The risk is expected to persist for the next 24 hours and surface runoff or inundation may occur in fully saturated soils and low-lying areas.
Over the past 24 hours, several areas in Himachal Pradesh have already received substantial rainfall. Bharwai recorded the highest rainfall at 66 mm, followed by Ghaghas with 56.6 mm, Jogindernagar at 53 mm, Salapad at 52.6 mm, Gohar at 46 mm, Una at 40.2 mm and Bilaspur at 35.5 mm.
Despite the recent downpours, the state has received 30 per cent less rainfall than usual for the entire monsoon season. Typically, Himachal Pradesh sees 405.5 mm of rain between June 1 and August 5, but this year only 281.9 mm has been recorded.
The recent rains have caused significant disruption, with 85 roads, 115 electricity transformers and 65 water schemes currently out of service. The damage to government and private property due to rain-related incidents has been estimated at Rs 684 crore.
The impact on human life has been severe, with 161 persons losing their lives due to road accidents, falls, drowning, snakebites and other causes since the start of the monsoon. Additionally, 57 houses have been completely destroyed and 151 houses have been partially damaged. The rain has also damaged 14 shops, 3 labor sheds, 171 cow shelters, and 2 traditional water mills (gharaats).
