Shimla, July 21(HS): Continuous heavy rainfall since last night in Himachal Pradesh has caused significant disruption to daily life. As a precautionary measure, holidays have been declared for all educational institutions across various sub-divisions. The rain has led to two fatalities in Chamba district and has triggered landslides, blocking roads in several areas. The meteorological department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple districts for the next 72 hours, particularly affecting Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kullu.

Schools and Anganwadi centers in several sub-divisions, including Thunag, Rohru, Jubbal, Kumarsain, Chopal, and Sunn, are closed. In Theog, a one-day holiday has been announced due to blocked roads. In Chamba district, heavy rains caused large stones to fall on a house in Sutah village, resulting in two deaths. On the Mandi-Kullu National Highway, only one-way traffic is allowed between 4 Mile and 9 Mile due to dangerous conditions. The Pandoh-Aut road is closed, and landslides are affecting NH-707 and other roads in Shimla.

Water is being released from several dams, including the Kol Dam, which may elevate river levels by 4-5 meters. People are cautioned to avoid rivers and streams. The impending three days could present further challenges, with an ongoing orange alert for multiple districts. Rain-related incidents have led to 119 deaths in the state, with numerous injuries and many missing. Mandi district bears the brunt, with significant destruction of properties and livestock losses across the region.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar