Light to moderate rain in Himachal Pradesh, 82 roads shut

Light to moderate rain has been recorded at many places in the state since Thursday evening. Heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places, with Naina Devi in Bilaspur recording 160 mm rainfall, the highest in the state.

The Weather Department has flagged low flashflood risk over few watersheds in Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Mandi and Bilaspur districts over the next 24 hours. The surface runoff/ inundation may occur at some places having fully saturated soils or in low-lying areas.

For the next few days, the Weather Department has issue a forecast of rain at isolated place in the plains, low and middle hills. The weather in high hills is likely to be dry until September 12.

Following the precipitation, as many as 82 roads are obstructed for vehicular traffic across the state. Most roads have been obstructed in Shimla district. Until now, 51 events of cloudburst and flashfloods have been recorded this monsoon. As many as 41 incidence of landslide, too, have been recorded.

Meanwhile, moderate rains lashed parts of the state. Dehra Gopipur recorded 64 mm of rain and was the wettest followed by Dharamsala (55.2 mm), Berthin (33 mm), Palampur (32.4 mm), Jubberhatti (29 mm), Bhuntar (27.4 mm), Sarahan (22 mm), Kasauli (19 mm), Mandi (17.6 mm), Kangra (17.2 mm), Dhaulakuan (13 mm) and Manali (12 mm).

Himachal Pradesh’s rainfall deficit since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 27 stands at 21 per cent, with the state receiving 509.3 mm rainfall against an average of 648.1 mm.

A total of 157 people have died in rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season from June 27 till September 6 and the state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,303 crore, the officials said.

Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest place in the state, recording a low of 9.5 degrees Celsius, while Bilaspur was the hottest with a maximum temperature of 33.7 degrees. (With PTI inputs)