Flash flood warning issued for three Himachal districts as state braces for heavy rainfall

The meteorological office on Thursday issued a warning of moderate flash flood risks in parts of Shimla, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur districts until Friday. A yellow alert has been issued for heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lightning in five districts of Himachal Pradesh, namely Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan, and Shimla, for Thursday and Friday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) cautioned that heavy rains could result in damage to crops, plantations, vulnerable structures, and kutcha houses in the affected regions.

Light rainfall continued in some parts of the state on Thursday. Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur recorded the highest rainfall at 26 mm since Wednesday evening, followed by Jot (7.6 mm), Kahu (6.8 mm), Chopal (6.2 mm), and 5 mm each in Manali, Dalhousie, and Wangtoo.


As of Wednesday, 37 roads remain closed, and 106 power schemes have been disrupted, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

Since the monsoon onset on June 27, Himachal Pradesh has recorded a 21% rainfall deficit, receiving 539.1 mm of rainfall against an expected 678.4 mm.

Tragically, 158 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents during this monsoon season, while 30 individuals remain missing. The state has suffered damages amounting to Rs 1,305 crore, according to official estimates.

Inputs from PTI