Shimla: Widespread overnight rainfall battered several parts of Himachal Pradesh, leading to major disruptions in road connectivity and essential services across the state. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), more than 160 roads have been closed following the downpour, while power and water supply have also been affected in multiple districts.
Official figures indicate that nearly 190 electricity transformers have become non-functional and 58 drinking water supply schemes have been disrupted. Restoration teams have been deployed to the affected locations, and authorities are working to restore normal services at the earliest.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the rainy spell is likely to continue over the next six days. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts on Wednesday, warning of heavy rainfall at isolated places.
The weather department has also forecast adverse weather conditions over the coming days. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur on August 6, for Kangra and Mandi on August 7, and for Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur on August 8.
In view of the forecast, residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in landslide-prone regions, and stay away from rivers, streams and other vulnerable areas during periods of heavy rain. Authorities have urged the public to follow official weather advisories and remain vigilant.
Despite the recent rainfall, Himachal Pradesh continues to record below-normal precipitation this monsoon season. Between June 1 and August 4, the state received around 360.3 mm of rainfall against the seasonal average of 396.9 mm, reflecting a deficit of nearly nine per cent.
The prolonged rain has, however, brought some relief from the recent warm conditions. Maximum temperatures have dropped across several districts over the past few days. Chamba recorded a fall of 2.6 degrees Celsius, with the day’s maximum settling at 30.2°C. Una registered 30.4°C after a decline of 2.4 degrees, while Solan’s maximum temperature dropped by 2.2 degrees to 26.2°C.
With more rain expected in the coming days, officials have advised residents and tourists to remain cautious as the risk of landslides, falling debris and localized flooding continues to persist in vulnerable areas.
