With forecasts for “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in the area over the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued an orange alert across sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.
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IMD Issues Orange Alert
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an “orange” alert expecting heavy to severe rains on Sunday, Himachal Pradesh is still experiencing the monsoon’s rage. Additionally, a “yellow” alert has been issued for Monday for significant rains. The next two days are expected to see “heavy to very heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh,” according to the forecast service.
(IMD) issued an orange alert for eight districts in Shimla on Saturday.
IMD’s Deputy Director, Bui Lal, stated that “Rain is expected in most regions.” He continued, “Orange rain alerts have been issued for the state’s Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, and Una districts.” (ANI)
Landslides and Inconveniences
“Continuing heavy rains have caused landslides, collapsed buildings, collapsed roads, and increased water levels in streams and rivers.” According to a government statement, DGP Sanjay Kundu has instructed city officials to be vigilant and alert hospitals to be prepared.
Kullu-Manali areas in the state were shut off after landslides obstructed the Mandi-Kullu National Highway between Mandi and Pandoh.
Over 200 highways have so far been closed as a result of the intense rains in the mountainous state, which caused large-scale landslides and flash floods. Due to a landslide on Sunday, NH 205 in the Himachal Pradesh district of Bilaspur was closed at Dakesh.
The Cart Road near Edward School, the Mehli-Badagaon-Shoghi highway close to Beolia, and the Shimla-Mandi NH 205 close to Hiranagar have all been closed due to landslides in the area, according to the Shimla police.
Following a new landslip at Chakki Mor, the Shimla-Kalka National Highway was shut for a number of hours before being partially opened in the late afternoon for light vehicles. On this stretch, there were a number of landslides, and the fog made it difficult for cars to progress.
Up to 302 roads were shut down across the state, according to officials.
Government officials have reported that more than 200 routes in the state are still impassable as a result of heavy rains, resulting landslides, and debris falling from the hills.
A landslide also obstructed the road leading to the Sri Nainadevi temple, thus travellers were advised to use an alternate route.
Damages Caused Due to the Rain
According to the Himachal Police, the Baba Garib Nath Temple in the Androli Village in Una was drowned on Saturday as the Bhakra Dam’s water level rose to 1,670 feet.
The HP Police further recommended that people stay home and not roam around the Bhakra reservoir. (ANI)
Four chambers of the roughly 600-year-old Nalagarh Fort collapsed on Friday night as a result of a significant landslide that happened in the Solan district’s Nalagarh sector. The fort was built in 1421 AD by Raja Bikram Chand of the Chand dynasty in Himachal Pradesh. The former royal family thereafter turned it into a resort.
According to ANI, citing Himachal Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, over 200 people have perished in the state since the beginning of the monsoon on June 24 in the hilly area, while about 295 people have been injured in landslides and flash floods brought on by rain. The minister said, “Up to 800 dwellings also experienced total damage, while another 7,500 residences also saw partial damage.”
The Warning
The Himachal Pradesh police have advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to travel at night in regions with poor roads because landslides and rockslides are not always apparent.
Repeated occurrences of landslides and rockslides have been seen in a number of districts of the hill state due to the nonstop rain, according to the officials on Saturday. (ANI)
Point to be Noted
- Himachal experienced almost 115% more rain than normal in July, setting a record high over many years.
