At many places in Himachal Pradesh, heavy rains on the weekend caused floods and landslides leading to road closures of more than 300 routes as monsoon returned to the hill state.
In a rain-related incident on Sunday, a conductor of a private bus was injured when a tree got uprooted and fell on the vehicle near ISBT here, reported PTI.
On Sunday, the local MeT office issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rain and a yellow alert on Monday.
In an alert on Saturday, the India Meteorological Department warned of intense rainfall on August 12 and 13 with the prediction of localised flooding and landslides as potential impacts. IMD has also advised the residents to stay away from vulnerable structures to avoid accidents.
Roads blocked in Himachal Pradesh
Three vehicles parked on the roadside were damaged following a landslide at Dudhli in the suburbs of Shimla city. A landslide also occurred near St. Edwards School, while uprooted trees blocked the road for some time near 103 Tunnel in the heart of the state capital.
The ply of essential commodities such as milk, newspapers and edibles here and in upper Shimla areas has been erratic over the past few days.
Three houses, cow sheds and vehicles were damaged near Dagsech in the Namhol area of Bilaspur district following a landslide on the Shimla–Mataur road. The administration has vacated nine houses after the land in the area started sinking, reported PTI.
In Dakesh in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday there was a road closure for NH 205 northwards because of an avalanche. Reports state that in the collision, two trucks and one light motor vehicle sustained damage.
Reportedly the Shimla Police have notified that four roads are blocked due to landslides and they are -
Tutikandi-Phagli bypass near Kanlog
Cart Road near Edward School
Mehli-Badagaon-Shoghi highway near Beolia
Shimla-Mandi NH 205 near Hiranagar
Kullu-Manali areas were cut off as landslides blocked the Mandi–Kullu National Highway between Mandi and Pandoh.
Several alternative routes were blocked as swollen waters of Suketi Khud not only flooded the areas along the banks and the roads but also entered the houses in Balh valley in Mandi.
The local administration sounded an alert advising the people in the valley to remain confined to their houses.
The Shimla-Kalka National Highway remained blocked for several hours after a fresh landslide at Chakki Mor and was partially opened for light vehicles in the afternoon. However, a large number of landslides on this stretch and fog were hindering traffic.
As many as 302 roads were closed in the state, reportedy.
The road to Sri Nainadevi temple was also blocked due to a landslide and people were asked to take the alternative route to reach the temple.
A major landslide occurred in the Nalagarh area of Solan district following heavy rains and four rooms of about 600-year-old Nalagarh Fort collapsed on Friday night.
Bus accident in Mandi
Twelve passengers were injured when a Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus met with an accident following caving-in of the road near Kango on the Mandi-Shimla highway in Mandi district in the wee hours, officials said.
The passengers had a narrow escape as the bus stopped over the sunken stretch of the road and did not roll into a khud, they said.
So far 255 persons have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents in Himachal during the ongoing Monsoon season since June 24, according to the data of the state emergency operation centre.
"Continuous heavy rain has resulted in caving in of roads, building collapse, landslides and increase in water levels in the rivers and streams. DGP Sanjay Kundu has directed the district superintendents of police to be on alert and advise hospitals to be in readiness," a statement issued here on Saturday said.
Damages in Himachal Pradesh
Monsoon in Himachal Pradesh has been very brutal on the lives of the residents there, so far 200 people have been killed due to natural disasters while 295 people have been injured. Himachal Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi told ANI, “As many as 800 houses have also been damaged completely, while another 7500 houses have been partially damaged."
So far 255 persons have died in rain-related incidents (146) and road accidents (109) in Himachal during the ongoing monsoon season since June 24, while the state has suffered losses of Rs 6807 crore, reported PTI.
