Himachal Pradesh Faces Severe Weather: Road Closures and Heavy Rain Warnings Issued

Twenty-five roads in Himachal Pradesh are closed due to heavy rains, with an orange alert issued for several districts. A yellow warning of heavy rains continues for the next four days. The state has suffered significant losses with 47 fatalities and disruptions in utilities due to the ongoing monsoon season.

Twenty-five roads in Himachal Pradesh were closed as heavy rains battered the state, prompting the weather office to issue an orange alert in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday.

The next 24 hours could see low to moderate flash flood risks in isolated parts of Kangra, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts, according to the met department.

A 'yellow' warning of heavy rains at isolated places has been issued for the entire state until July 27. The weather department warns of potential damage to plantations, standing crops, vulnerable structures, and 'kutcha' houses due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas.

As per the state emergency operation centre, 22 roads are closed in Mandi district, two in Kangra, and one in Kinnaur. Additionally, 97 transformers and 13 water supply schemes have been disrupted.

So far, 47 people have died in rain-related incidents, and the state has incurred losses of about Rs 364 crore since the monsoon season began on June 27.

Parts of Kangra district received heavy rains in the past 24 hours, with 151.9 mm recorded in Kangra, making it the wettest district, followed by Dharamshala at 146.6 mm, Palampur at 112.4 mm, and Nagrota Suriyan at 99.6 mm.

Other rainfall measurements include Jogindernagar with 52 mm, Guler 46.4 mm, Sundernagar 44.7 mm, Gharmoor 35.2 mm, and Kahu 33.5 mm.

Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti district recorded the lowest night-time temperature at 10 degrees Celsius, while Una recorded the highest daytime temperature at 36.2 degrees Celsius.