Rain wreaks havoc: 355 roads blocked, over 1,000 distribution transformers disrupted in Himachal

As many as 355 roads, including three National Highways (NH), remain disrupted for traffic movement as heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc across the state.

As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, 202 roads — including NH 21 — are disrupted in Mandi district alone. Additionally, 64, including NH 305 in Kullu, 28 in Sirmaur, 27 in Kangra, nine in Chamba, eight in Shimla, seven in Una, six in Lahaul and Spiti, two, including NH 5, in Kinnaur and one each in Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts are disrupted for vehicular movement, causing inconvenience to commuters.

As many as 1,067 distribution transformers — including 557 in Kullu, 385 in Mandi, 112 in Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Kinnaur, two in Chamba — and 116 water supply schemes — including 44 in Mandi, 41 in Kangra, 14 in Hamirpur, nine in Kullu, four in Shimla, three in Lahaul and Spiti and one in Solan district — also remain disrupted.

As a result of a heavy downpour, the Shimla-Karsog road near Tattapani also sank, partially disrupting the traffic movement on the road. As per the district administration, approximately 4.20 meters of road in width has been left while the rest of the road has sunk in Sutlej river.

Heavy rainfall is very likely to continue across Himachal as the State’s Meteorological Department has issued a yellow weather warning for August 18, 21, 22 and 23, resulting in a few spells of very heavy to heavy rain in isolated parts of the state. Maximum temperatures are very likely to rise by 2°C to 3°C in the next three to four days while minimum temperatures are very likely to remain the same.

The state witnessed very heavy to heavy rainfall in isolated places as well as light to moderate rain at most places of the state during the last 24 hours.

Kataula in Mandi district received 120 mm rain, which was the highest in the state while Kangra received 110.8 mm, Nahan 103 mm, Paonta Sahib 69.8 mm, Shaulakuan 67 mm, Bhuntar 63,3 mm, Palampur 60.4 mm, Narkanda 27 mm, Mandi 26 mm, Dharamshala 20.6 mm, Bilaspur 10.4 mm, Manali 8 mm, Kufri 4 mm and Shimla 1 mm.