Heavy rainfall triggers yellow alert in Himachal, flood warnings in five districts

Starting Sunday, Himachal Pradesh is under a yellow alert for heavy rainfall, expected to last until August 16. The state is bracing for potential floods in several areas, with specific warnings issued for parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts. The relentless rain has already caused widespread disruption, closing 288 roads and cutting off connections on five national highways. To make matters worse, 458 power transformers are down, leaving many without electricity.

In Rakkar Colony, a sudden deluge of rainwater surged from the Rakkar Basoli Peer Nigah Road, flooding the entire neighborhood. About 40 homes were at risk but fortunately escaped severe damage. However, the lack of proper drainage on the road has left residents struggling with flooded homes and streets. The situation could have escalated into a full-blown disaster if the rain had been any heavier.

Kangra district has been particularly hard-hit since Saturday night, with heavy rainfall causing significant havoc. The district is drenched, and the Shimla-Mataur four-lane road has collapsed in multiple places. Several under-construction bridges on the National Highway are now on the brink of collapse. The SDM office complex in Jaisinghpur has turned into a large water-filled basin. Rivers and streams are overflowing, and the constant downpour, accompanied by lightning, has plunged many areas into darkness, leaving residents anxious and fearful.

Even in the midst of an orange alert, light rain persisted throughout Saturday night in Shimla, while Dharamshala, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur also experienced rainfall. In the Amarpur area of Nahan, rainwater invaded homes and shops, and fertile land in the Kundiya Panchayat area was washed away. The previous night saw heavy rain lashing Nahan, Dhaula Kuan, Jubbarhatti, and Paonta Sahib. Sirmaur district suffered a similar fate, where water entered a factory in Satiwala, ruining cement bags. The NH 707 Paonta-Shillai National Highway remains blocked near Chilun due to debris.

Meanwhile, on the road between Parwanoo and Solan, rocks are falling from the hills, posing a threat to travelers. In one incident, a bus skidded at Tambumod while trying to avoid a biker, but thankfully, all passengers escaped unharmed. Amidst all this chaos, temperatures on Saturday reached around 34°C in Una, 33°C in Bilaspur, 33°C in Chamba, 31°C in Hamirpur, 29°C in Kangra, 28°C in Mandi, 27°C in Manali, 27°C in Dharamshala, 28°C in Nahan, 25°C in Solan, 26°C in Kalpa, and 21°C in Shimla.