Himachal Pradesh rain fury: Boulders fall on moving car in Kullu, two injured; 259 roads affected
PTC Web Desk: Heavy rain continued to disrupt normal life across Himachal Pradesh, with landslides and falling rocks reported from several areas. In Kullu district, debris and boulders fell on a moving vehicle on NH-305, leaving two persons injured.
The vehicle was buried under the debris following the incident. Another vehicle parked at the new bus stand in Ani was also damaged after a landslide occurred in the area.
The incident took place on NH-305 in Kullu amid heavy rainfall. Debris and rocks suddenly came down from the hillside and fell onto a moving vehicle. Two persons travelling in the vehicle sustained injuries. The vehicle was also trapped under the debris.
In another incident in Ani, a parked vehicle at the new bus stand was damaged after debris from a landslide fell on it.
Shimla also witnessed a landslide late Monday evening. Rocks fell from a hillside, damaging three motorcycles parked along the roadside. The incidents have raised concerns over the risk of landslides in the state's hilly areas as heavy rain continues.
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The rain has also disrupted power and water infrastructure, with 161 transformers and 54 drinking water schemes affected across the state.
In view of the heavy rainfall and the orange alert issued by the weather department, the Kullu administration has taken precautionary measures. The SDM of Kullu has announced a holiday for all educational institutions in the subdivision on Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday. A yellow alert has been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Shimla and Solan.
The IMD has said that monsoon activity is likely to remain active across Himachal Pradesh for the next week. This means the state is unlikely to get a complete break from rainfall in the coming days.
The Western Disturbance is expected to weaken slightly from Wednesday compared with Tuesday. However, some areas may still receive intense spells of rain. A yellow alert has been issued for some districts for the next four days.
The weather department has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall.
Residents and tourists have been asked to stay away from rivers, streams, khads and other areas where water levels can rise quickly. People have also been warned against attempting to cross roads or water channels with strong currents.
The administration has urged people living in or travelling through hilly areas to remain cautious, particularly at locations vulnerable to landslides and falling rocks.
Officials have advised residents to follow weather warnings and advisories issued by the local administration and the IMD.
- With inputs from agencies
