More than 300 roads have been closed in Himachal Pradesh after heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods amid the ongoing monsoon season in the country. The Shimla-Kalka National Highway connecting Shimla and Chandigarh will remain closed for the next two days as state authorities work towards opening all the blocked roads.
Light to moderate rains lashed parts of the state and Sundernagar received 56 mm of rain, Mandi 54 mm, Nahan 50 mm and Solan 21 mm. The state weather department issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy downpours at isolated places from August 4 to 7 and predicted a wet spell in the state till August 9.
According to the state emergency operation centre, 197 persons have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents since the onset of the monsoon on June 24 till Wednesday.
Rains in Himachal Pradesh
On Wednesday morning, a landslide blocked the national highway at Chakki Mor near Koti on the Dharampur-Parwanoo stretch, leaving many vehicles stranded. Public Works Department minister Vikramaditya Singh said the highway will be closed for the next two days. “Inclement weather conditions and rains are hampering the road opening operations and the national highway would be opened for single-lane in next two days, depending on weather conditions”, Solan Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh told PTI on Thursday.
The Shimla police have routed traffic going from Shimla to Chandigarh via Theog-Sainj-Giripul-Oachghat- Kumarhatti-Sarahan-Kala Amb-Panchkula road while the traffic coming from Chandigarh would be routed via Dherowal- Nalagarh- Parsehar- Kunihar- Totu- Shimla for light vehicles.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state has sought help from Union Finance minister regarding restoration work (after floods and landslides) and also asked interim relief from Union Home minister.
Cracks develop in houses
Over 100 houses in Himachal Pradesh's Rampur have developed cracks following incessant rains for the past few days. "Because of excessive rain, there have been a lot of damages in the Rampur subdivision, more than 100 houses have developed cracks...relief work is being done," said Jai Chand, tehsildar of Rampur.
Many people were reminded of the disaster in Uttarakhand's Joshimath wherein many residential and commercial buildings developed cracks due to land subsidence, forcing residents to relocate from their homes.
