Monsoon rains are continuing intermittently in Himachal Pradesh, due to which normal life has been badly affected. In the plain districts of the state, a flood-like situation has arisen due to continuous rain and rivers and streams are overflowing at other places as well.
The Meteorological Department today issued a red alert for heavy rains for two districts of the state, Kangra and Chamba, while a yellow alert has been issued for some areas.
In view of the bad weather in the state, a holiday has been declared today in all the educational institutions in seven districts, Kangra, Chamba, Shimla, Hamirpur, Solan, Mandi and Banjar, Ani and Kullu sub-divisions of Kullu district. According to the Meteorological Centre Shimla, the spell of rain is likely to continue in the state till August 31.
Several shops were washed away, buildings collapsed, highways were closed and residential areas were inundated as heavy rain triggered fresh landslides and flash floods at many places in Himachal Pradesh. However, officials said no loss of life was reported in any of the incidents that have been reported since Monday night.
The local meteorological office has issued a ‘red’ alert, warning of intense to very intense spells of rain at isolated places in Kangra, Chamba, and Lahaul and Spiti districts on Tuesday. It has also issued an ‘orange’ alert for intense spells of rain in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi and Kullu districts and Shimla city.
Strong currents of the Beas river washed away a multi-storey hotel and four shops in Manali in Kullu district in the early hours of Tuesday.
With the river in spate, the gushing waters entered Alu ground in Manali and the Manali-Leh highway was blocked at several points, according to the officials. Water from Ghanvi Khud (drain) entered houses in Kullu.
Two buildings housing about 40 shops collapsed in the Balichowki area of Mandi district late on Monday night. There were no casualties as the building was vacated earlier after it became dangerous. Kanvi in Kinnaur district was hit by flash floods.
Various district administrations have ordered the closure of all educational institutions. An order to this effect was issued by Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan and Banjar, Kullu district administrations on Monday evening.
Schools closed in Shimla and other districts.
The Shimla district administration ordered the closure of all government and private educational institutions on Tuesday morning.
Shimla district has been pounded by rain since Monday morning. The downpour triggered landslides and uprooted trees, leading to road closures.