Schools and colleges remained closed in several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday as heavy rain disrupted life. Officials said educational institutions were shut in Amb and Gagret subdivisions of Una district as a preventive measure. Similar orders were issued in Manali and Banjar in Kullu, and in some areas of Mandi district after flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides.
In Kullu, flash floods in a local stream at Shastri Nagar damaged houses and vehicles, creating panic among residents. Kullu Municipal Council president Mahant Gopal Dass, however, confirmed there was no loss of life. In Mandi district, a footbridge in Silbhudhani village was washed away on Monday night after cloudbursts and flash floods. Schools in villages near Bhubu and Kungri were also shut on Wednesday for safety reasons, according to the local administration.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that 362 roads, including three national highways, were temporarily shut for traffic on Wednesday morning. This included 183 roads in Mandi district and 105 in Kullu. Landslides triggered by rain also blocked key routes such as the Mandi-Kullu highway (NH 21), Mandi-Jogindernagar road (NH 154) and the Aut-Sainj road (NH 305).
Also Read: Cloudburst wreaks havoc in Shimla village, triggers flashflood
Intermittent rain continued across the state since Tuesday evening. Bharwain in Una received the highest rainfall of 68 mm, followed by 63.4 mm in Dehra Gopipur, 60.4 mm in Palampur, 60 mm in Guler, 56 mm in Solan, 50.8 mm in Bilaspur and 47.2 mm in Jubbarhatti. Naina Devi recorded 46.6 mm of rain, Nadaun 40 mm, Jogindernagar 38 mm, Nagrota Surian 37.4 mm and Sujanpur Tira 36.4 mm.
The local weather office has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas of Himachal from August 24 to 26. A yellow warning for heavy rain has also been issued for August 23.
According to SEOC, 550 power transformers and 132 water supply schemes have been hit by the rains. Since the start of monsoon on June 20, the state has suffered losses worth Rs 2,211 crore due to rain-related incidents. Officials said Himachal had recorded 74 flash floods, 38 cloudbursts and 72 major landslides so far. At least 143 people have died and 37 are missing in rain-related incidents this season.
The state received 634.9 mm rainfall between June 1 and August 20, against the average of 543.6 mm, which is 17 per cent above normal.
Also Read: Magisterial probe ordered in Dharamsala flashflood that killed 5
Follow us
