Heavy rains batter Himachal Pradesh, schools shut in six districts; IMD issues yellow alert
The local meteorological department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in isolated areas across two to seven districts until August 30.
PTC News Desk: Heavy rainfall has severely impacted normal life in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closure of schools and colleges in six of the state’s 12 districts. Meanwhile, 484 roads, including two national highways, remain blocked for traffic.
The local meteorological department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in isolated areas across two to seven districts until August 30.
Authorities stated that educational institutions, except residential ones, were shut in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Solan, Mandi, and Lahaul-Spiti districts following the alert. Several parts of the state have been witnessing moderate to heavy rainfall since Sunday night. Of the 484 blocked roads, 245 are in Mandi district and 102 in Kullu.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that National Highway 154-A (Chamba–Pathankot) and NH-305 (Aut–Sainj) are also closed.
Additionally, 941 power transformers and 95 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Since the onset of monsoon on June 20 up to August 24, at least 155 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, and 37 others are missing, according to the SEOC.
The state has recorded 77 flash floods, 40 cloudbursts, and 79 major landslides so far, incurring estimated losses of ₹2,348 crore, the SEOC added.