Monsoon to intensify, orange alert for today

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, August 6

The weather department has sounded an orange alert for yet another spell of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in the state until August 10.

Spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall are likely to occur in the districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Shimla and Sirmaur over the next 24 hours. For tomorrow and August 10, the department has issued orange alert. For August 8-9, yellow alert has been issued.

As per the department, the monsoon activity is likely to increase in intensity and distribution from today evening evening/night for the next four-five days. At most places, a fairly widespread precipitation of light to moderate intensity, associated with occasional development of thunderstorm/ lightning, will occur over the next four-five days, with peak intensity on August 7 and August 10.

The weather department has warned of the possibility of landslides and flashfloods at the vulnerable areas of the districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla and Kinnaur during this spell of precipitation. There is a possibility of disruption of traffic due to waterlogging. The department has advised people to avoid going to areas that witness waterlogging and avoid staying in vulnerable structures.

On Tuesday, as many as 53 roads are shut for traffic, most of which fall in district Kullu (18), followed by Mandi (16). Besides, 17 power distribution transformers and 63 water supply schemes too have been disrupted.

Meanwhile, the overall rainfall this monsoon is still lower than normal. As against the normal rainfall of 415.3 mm, the state has received 287.3 mm rain, a deviation of -31 per cent. The month of July recorded a deviation of -29 per cent. The precipitation received in July is the lowest in the state since 2011. In the first week of August, monsoon has been more active, receiving 3 per cent more than normal rainfall.