Heavy Rainfall Sparks Yellow Alert in Himachal Pradesh, Roads Blocked

The India Meteorological Department forecasts light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms in several Himachal Pradesh districts tonight, prompting a yellow alert until August 20. Intense rain raises risks of flash floods and road closures, affecting national highways and local infrastructure.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning likely to continue tonight across multiple districts in Himachal Pradesh. Districts such as Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi, Shimla, and Kullu are expected to experience this weather.

The IMD has warned of a few episodes of intense to very intense rainfall, which may cause flash floods, slippery roads, low visibility, and partial damage to vulnerable structures in isolated pockets of these areas.

Additional rainfall is expected in Kangra, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Lahul and Spiti districts tonight. Due to heavy rains over the past few days, IMD has issued a yellow alert for 10 of Himachal Pradesh's 12 districts, effective until August 20. The roads have been critically impacted, with 58 roads including National Highway 707 between Hatkoti in Shimla and Poanta Sahib in Sirmaur, being closed due to rainfall on Friday, as reported by the state emergency operation centre.