Orange alert for heavy rain today in Himachal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 9

Spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall are likely to occur at one or two places in the districts of Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur today night and tomorrow. The spells of heavy rainfall are likely to occur at isolated places in the mid and low hills areas of the state till August 13.

The department has also flagged a risk of low to moderate flashflood over a few watersheds in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmaur and Shimla during the next 24 hours. There’s a possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas of Mandi, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Sirmaur, Shimla and Kinnaur districts. There could be a disruption of traffic due to waterlogging and occasional reduction in visibility due to heavy rainfall and fog.

Meanwhile, scheduled flushing of upstream power stations - 1000 MW Karcham Wangtu HPS and 300 MW Baspa will be done on August 11. Around 1,000 cumecs to 1500 cumecs of water will be released from Nathpa Dam from midnight to 4pm. Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Jyoti Rana said people should avoid going near the river banks of Sutlej on August 11. People can call at 94180-11368, 94180-27568 and 94180-02520 for any assistance in this regard.