The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh, warning of heavy to very heavy rain for the next three days.
According to the latest IMD update, orange alert conditions are in place for Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the warning will apply to Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts. Yellow alerts for heavy rain have also been issued for Shimla and Solan on Tuesday.
Senior IMD scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma said rain and weather activity will continue in the region for the next three days.
“The monsoon has remained active, and water levels in rivers and streams have risen significantly. Over the next three days, an advisory has been issued asking people not to venture near local streams or major rivers. Visibility conditions in Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts will remain very low,” he said.
In the past 24 hours, light to moderate rain was recorded in most parts of the state. Heavy rain occurred in isolated places in Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur districts. Kangra district recorded the highest rainfall at 180 mm, followed by Guler in Kangra with 161 mm. A few places in Hamirpur also saw heavy downpours.
The forecast suggests rain will continue across Himachal from August 12 to August 15, with the heaviest rainfall expected from late Wednesday to Thursday night. Yellow alerts will be in place for Mandi, Bilaspur, Shimla, and Sirmaur on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, rain will be limited to isolated areas, followed by dry conditions on Saturday and Sunday. Weather activity is likely to pick up again from Monday.
So far in August, rainfall in the state has been 32 per cent above normal. Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Shimla districts have recorded nearly 80 per cent more rain than average, while Lahaul-Spiti has received below-normal rainfall.
Since the start of the monsoon, Himachal has recorded 13 per cent above-normal rainfall overall. Only Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti have received less than the seasonal average.
The IMD has urged residents to stay alert, avoid travel near landslide-prone areas, and stay away from swollen rivers and streams during this period.
Also read: 398 roads closed, uprooted trees damage vehicles in Himachal
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