Water, power supply hit as heavy rains lash Solan dist

Vehicular traffic was obstructed for over two hours near Kumarhatti on the Solan-Kumarhatti road after an uprooted tree fell on the road on Tuesday.

The police diverted traffic through the bypass to facilitate motorists and ensure continuous movement of the vehicles.

Civic amenities like water and power supply were affected in various parts of Solan, Nalagarh and Kasauli after incessant rains lashed the area in the last 48 hours. Residents in villages around Kasauli went without water for the fourth day today as there was no electricity to pump water.

Yesterday, water supply was halted as incessant rain had increased turbidity beyond the safe limit.

With an orange alert warning of heavy rain, educational institutions remained closed in the district even as the staff reported for duty.

Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma said no major damage had been caused to the roads in the district in the last two days.

Gusty winds uprooted several trees and damaged electricity poles, affecting power and water supply.

Nineteen roads, including 15 in Arki and four in Nalagarh subdivision, remained closed due to landslides.

Sixty-three power distribution transformers — 60 in Kasauli and three in Nalagarh — developed snags. Nine water supply schemes in Baddi and one in Kasauli were also affected due to the inclement weather.

The agrarian community has been left high and dry as waterlogging in the fields has damaged their standing crop of vegetables and washing away smaller plants sown recently.

Agriculture experts have advised the farmers to clear the drainage channels for free passage of water. They have been also asked to remove fruits and shoots infested with pests to avoid the spread of diseases to healthy plants.