The rain fury continues to wreck havoc across Himachal Pradesh as migrant couple was found dead in Shimla as heavy overnight downpour triggered landslides in the state.
The landslides in Himachal have blocked over 200 roads, including the Shimla-Chandigarh highway, while the houses have also been left damaged in Solan district due to the nature’s fury, the reports said.
According to the reports, the deceased couple was identified as Jhalu Oraon of Jharkhand and his wife Rajkumari Devi.
The couple was found dead in their shanty at Shol village in Baldeyan area of Shimla district, the reports said.
IMD issues ‘orange alert’ and ‘yellow alert’:
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The India Meteorological Department(IMD) has issued an ‘orange alert’ warning for the state with prediction for continuous heavy rain for today and Thursday.
Besides, IMD also issued ‘yellow alert’ warning for August 25 and 26.
The flash flood warning has also been issued in the state’s nine districts—Sirmaur, Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, Hamirpur, Solan, Bilaspur and Kullu.
IMD statistics show heavy rainfall battered various parts of the state, with Bilaspur receiving 181 mm of rainfall, followed by Berthin with 160 mm, Shimla with 132 mm, Mandi with 118 mm, Sundernagar with 105 mm, Palampur with 91 mm, and Solan with 77 mm of rainfall.
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The weather office had issued a ‘red alert’ for eight districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall, and subsequent flash flood risks.
Schools and colleges remain closed:
As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges have been closed for two days in Shimla, Mandi, and Solan districts.
Roads, highways remain blocked:
Over 200 roads blocked have been left blocked in the state due to landslides.
The reports said a total of 530 roads in the state remain closed.
The Shimla-Kalka national highway 5 connecting Shimla and Chandigarh was again blocked near Chaki Mor near Parwanoo due to a fresh landslide, the reports said.
NH 21 (Mandi-Kullu road) was blocked near Pandoh and traffic has been diverted, while NH 154 (Mandi-Pathankot) was also blocked, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has said 213 roads were blocked in Mandi district, 58 in Shimla and 50 in Bilaspur.
Houses damaged in Solan, Sabathu
Several houses have been damaged at Shakal village on the outskirts of Solan city as gushing waters entered houses.
The reports quoting officials said a few houses and vehicles were damaged in Sabathu following a landslide.
The reports also said as a precautionary measure, three houses were vacated in Panthaghati and Sanjauli areas of Shimla, while trees unable to withstand the onslaught of rain and wind, toppled onto streets in some parts of the city.
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Electricity and water remains affected:
With electricity lines being severed, parts of Shimla were without power. The water supply also remains affected in the state.
Himachal Pradesh losses mount due to rains:
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has claimed that the state has suffered losses of Rs 10,000 crore in the heavy rains.
