Heavy rain continues to wreak havoc, 313 roads closed in Himachal

As many as 313 roads, including National Highway 305 in Kullu district, remain closed for vehicular movement as torrential rain continues to wreak havoc across the state.

As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, as many as 160 roads are closed in Mandi, 102 in Kullu, 21 in Kangra, 11 in Una, six each in Shimla and Sirmaur, two each in Bilaspur, Chamba and Kinnaur and one in Lahaul and Spiti.

Also, as many as 97 distribution transformers, including 70 in Mandi, 17 in Kullu, six in Kangra, three in Chamba and one in Lahaul and Spiti, along with 51 water supply schemes, including 36 in Mandi, eight in Kangra, five in Hamirpur and two in Lahaul and Spiti district remain disrupted, causing inconvenience to people.

Till now, as many as 152 persons have lost their lives due to natural disasters since the onset of monsoon season. Also, the state has suffered a loss of Rs 2,347.39 crore due to natural disasters triggered by heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall is set to continue across the state till August 29, with August 24 to 26 witnessing very heavy rainfall as a result of yellow weather warnings that have been issued by the State’s Meteorological Department.

During the last 24 hours, the state witnessed heavy rain at isolated places and light to moderate rain at most places. Nalagarh in Solan district recorded 60 mm rain — which was the highest in the state. Similarly, Jogindernagar in Mandi district received 50 mm rain, Mandi 37 mm, Kangra 35.7 mm, Paonta sahib 33 mm, Dharamsala 15.8 mm, Palampur 11 mm, Nahan 10.9 mm, Shimla and Manali 10 mm each and Solan 7.8 mm rain.