Himachal Pradesh Faces Flash Flood Warning Amid Heavy Rainfall

The meteorological centre has issued a flash flood warning for seven districts in Himachal Pradesh, forecasting very heavy rain in 10 districts for the next 24 hours. Officials reported road closures and water supply disruptions across the state as monsoon activity intensifies, posing risks of landslides and further damage.

The meteorological centre on Tuesday issued a caution for moderate flash flood risk in seven out of 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh, including Kangra, Sirmaur, Chamba, Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Mandi. The warning is for the next 24 hours.

An 'orange' alert for very heavy rain has been issued for parts of 10 districts—Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una—until Wednesday evening. The MeT office also predicted heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated locations for August 7 and 10, indicating a rise in monsoon activity from Tuesday evening.

As intermittent rain continues across the state, 53 roads are closed and 63 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Flash floods triggered by cloudbursts recently claimed 16 lives in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts, with 40 individuals still unaccounted for. The weather office warns of possible landslides and flash floods, which could damage plantations, standing crops, vulnerable structures, and 'kutcha' houses due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)