Shimla, 20 August (Kiran News). Monsoon continues to wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh. Early this morning, a cloudburst occurred in Pej village of Kullu district around 3:30 am, leading to a sudden rise in the water level of the Shastri Nagar drain and causing flash floods. The incident damaged 3 to 4 vehicles parked near the drain, and some houses were filled with debris. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.
Meanwhile, overnight rainfall worsened the situation in Una district. All educational institutions in Amb and Gagret sub-divisions of Una have been ordered to remain closed today. Similarly, all schools in the Manali sub-division of Kullu are also closed today due to bad weather and continuous rainfall.
Continuous heavy rainfall in various parts of the state has increased people’s difficulties. In Mandi district, the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway at Hanogi has been closed since last night due to a landslide. The administration started clearing the debris in the morning and expects partial restoration of the highway by noon. However, the alternate route to Kullu has also collapsed near Kannauj and may take longer to reopen. The highway near Dayod, close to Pandoh Dam, remains risky due to land subsidence, leading to stopped traffic in that section.
In Kangra district, ongoing rains and the release of water from Pong Dam have made the situation more concerning. According to BBMB data, by 7 am on 20 August, the dam’s water level reached 1383.13 feet. The inflow was 68,967 cusecs, while a total of 61,878 cusecs was released—17,456 cusecs through turbines and 44,422 cusecs through spillways. As a result, the water level of the Beas river is continuously rising, increasing risk in the floodplain areas of Fatehpur and Indora sub-divisions. The administration has appealed to people living near the riverbanks to take shelter in relief camps and ignore rumours.
According to the Meteorological Department, there is a likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in Himachal Pradesh from 24 to 27 August. An orange alert has been issued for the entire state during this period. The department has advised people to be cautious when stepping outside and to stay away from rivers and streams. A yellow alert has been declared for 22 and 23 August, while 21 August is expected to have bad weather but without any specific warning.
Last night, Bharwai recorded the highest rainfall at 68 mm, followed by Dehra Gopipur with 63 mm and Palampur with 60 mm. Due to the rain, rivers and streams across the state are overflowing, creating flood-like situations in rural areas. In the Mand region, many villagers have started moving to safer locations.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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