Rain wreaks havoc in Kangra district

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 12

Heavy to extremely heavy rain wreaked havoc in Kangra district today.

As many as 54 roads are blocked in the state following the downpour. As many as 25 roads are blocked in Kullu district, 22 in Chamba district, three in Sirmaur and two each in Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti districts. However, reports on roads blockade in Kangra district, which witnessed the maximum damage, and Mandi district are still awaited.

People are on tenterhooks as the local MeT office has issued an orange warning of thunderstorm, lightning and heavy rain in seven districts of Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur, tomorrow and a yellow warning of thunderstorm and lightning in seven districts on July 14, 15 and 16. It has predicted a wet spell in the region till July 18.

Following intermittent heavy rain in Shimla and surrounding areas, the Giri water supply scheme has been affected due to silting at the source. There is high turbidity at the water source and disturbance in water supply to Shimla is apprehended.

Dharamsala was the wettest in the region with 331 mm of rain, followed by Palampur 287 mm, Shahpur 264 mm, Kangra 213 mm, Jogindernagar 158 mm, Jawali 99 mm, Dalhousie 98 mm, Bhuntar 83 mm, Mandi 79 mm, Baijnath 78, Manali, Kufri and Sarkaghat 70 mm each, Narkanda 69 mm, Kasauli 68 mm, Rohru 56 mm, Solan 40 mm, Chamba 38 mm, Shimla 37 and Paonta Sahib 30 mm.

The Union Government has sent NDRF teams for relief and rescue operations in Dharamsala and adjoining areas. In a Tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “The situation in Himachal due to heavy rain is being closely monitored. The authorities are working with the state government and all possible support is being extended.”

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed concern over the losses due to heavy rain and speculated cloudbursts in certain parts. He also urged the local people and tourists to refrain from going near the river banks to avoid any untoward incident.

There was no significant change in the minimum temperatures and Keylong was the coldest at night, registering a low of 12.4 degrees C. However, the maximum temperatures dropped by four or five degrees C and Una with 31.7 degrees C was the hottest in the day.

Shimla water scheme hit

The Giri water supply scheme in Shimla has been hit due to silting at the source. There is high turbidity at the water source and disturbance in water supply to Shimla is apprehended.