Light rain in Himachal, weather office issues alert for flash floods in Kangra, Chamba

Shimla, July 7

As many as 41 roads are still obstructed across the state due to the precipitation over the last few days. The maximum obstructed roads fall in district Mandi (27), followed by Shimla (7), Sirmaur (4). Besides, seven power distribution transformers are still out of order, and 71 water supply schemes are disrupted. The maximum 59 water supply schemes have been hit in Shimla district.

Heavy rain alert on July 10-11

• The Weather Department has warned a low to moderate flash flood risk over a few watersheds in the districts of Shimla, Kangra and Chamba over the next 24 hours.
• Except for the risk of flash floods, the precipitation is likely to reduce in intensity and distribution over the next two days.
• The department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain on July 10-11 at isolated places.

Meanwhile, the weather department has warned of a low to moderate flash flood risk over a few watersheds in the districts of Shimla, Kangra and Chamba over the next 24 hours. Except for the risk of flash floods, the precipitation is likely to reduce in intensity and distribution over the next two days.

As per the forecast, there’s a possibility of rain at a few places in low and mid hills but the high hills would remain dry over the next two days. On July 10 and 11, the precipitation is again likely to pick up some pace. The department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain on July 10-11 at isolated places.

The department has warned of damage to plantation, horticulture and standing crops, partial damage to vulnerable structures, minor damage to kutcha houses and huts due to strong winds and rain, disruption in traffic and waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Overall, the state has received good rainfall in the first week of July. As per the weather department, the state has received 66 per cent more than normal rainfall in the first week of the month. As against the normal precipitation of 43.4 mm, the state has recorded 72.1 mm over the last seven days.

The district of Kangra and Mandi have recorded the highest rainfall in these seven days – while Kangra received 239.8mm rain, a departure of 145 per cent from normal, Mandi logged 187.5mm rain, a deviation of 187 per cent from normal. The only district to record less than normal rainfall over the last one week are Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Una and Sirmaur.

In the 24 hours ending at 5 pm on Sunday, Rampur received 33 mm rainfall, followed by Sarahan (11 mm), Shimla (9 mm), Wangtoo and Jubbarhatti (8 mm each), and Chauri and Bajaura (5 mm each).

Visibility was reduced to a few metres at some places near Shimla while drivers faced trouble negotiating the roads on the Shimla-Kalka Highway.

Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest place in the state with a minimum temperature of 10.1 degrees Celsius while Bilapur was the hottest at 36.6 degrees.