Shimla: Persistent monsoon showers continued to affect several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Friday, prompting authorities to suspend classes in parts of Sirmaur district as heavy rainfall triggered landslides and disrupted road connectivity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a Yellow Alert for five districts, cautioning residents about the possibility of heavy rain at isolated places.
Educational institutions in the Sangrah and Pachhad subdivisions of Sirmaur remained closed after local authorities reviewed the weather situation. Officials clarified that while students have been granted a holiday, teaching and non-teaching staff have been directed to report for duty unless otherwise instructed.
Heavy rainfall also caused waterlogging in Kala-Amb town, where several low-lying areas were inundated. In Shimla district, intermittent showers continued through Thursday night, bringing down temperatures and affecting normal movement in some areas.
According to the Meteorological Department, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur are likely to witness spells of heavy rainfall during the day. Authorities have advised residents and tourists to avoid venturing near rivers, seasonal streams and vulnerable hill slopes due to the risk of flash floods and landslides.
Weather officials, however, indicated that monsoon activity is expected to weaken from Saturday onwards. Rainfall during the coming week is likely to remain below the seasonal average, with only scattered light showers forecast for most regions. The IMD has projected that monsoon conditions may strengthen again during the latter half of July, potentially bringing another phase of widespread rainfall.
Since the arrival of the southwest monsoon, Himachal Pradesh has received rainfall well above the seasonal average. The prolonged wet spell has already led to multiple landslides and cloudburst incidents across different districts, affecting transport and public utilities.
State authorities reported that hundreds of roads remain blocked due to debris and slope failures, while power supply has been disrupted in several locations after electricity infrastructure sustained damage during the rains. Restoration teams have been deployed to clear roads and repair affected transmission lines.
The continuous rainfall has also resulted in a noticeable fall in daytime temperatures across the hill state. Several towns recorded temperatures significantly below normal, providing relief from the summer heat but also highlighting the intensity of the current monsoon spell.
Officials have appealed to the public to remain alert, monitor weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel in areas prone to landslides until conditions improve. Emergency response teams have been kept on standby to deal with any weather-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season.
