23 Roads Closed In Himachal, IMD Predicts Heavy Rainfall on Wednesday

Shimla: Even though the weather has remained mainly dry in Himachal Pradesh during the past three days, 23 roads are still closed in the state, officials said on Tuesday.

However, the local meteorological office warned of heavy rains in Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts on Wednesday. It also issued a 'yellow' warning for thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in six out of 12 districts of the state on Wednesday and Thursday.

As of now, up to 10 roads are closed in Kangra, six in Mandi, four in Kullu, two in Shimla, and one in Sirmaur district, according to the state emergency operation center. Additionally, nine power supply schemes have been disrupted.

From June 1 to September 24, Himachal Pradesh has experienced a rain deficit of 21%, receiving 573.7 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 723.1 mm, as reported by the local meteorological office on Tuesday. The most significant rain deficit was in Lahaul and Spiti at 69%, followed by Una at 35%, Chamba at 34%, Hamirpur at 31%, Solan at 21%, Kinnaur at 20%, and Kangra and Sirmaur both at 9%. Mandi recorded a deficit of 4%, while Shimla was the only district with a 15% excess in rainfall.

Meanwhile, maximum temperatures across Himachal Pradesh have risen significantly due to dry weather, ranging from three to eight degrees Celsius above normal. Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti hit 25.9 degrees, which is 7.9 degrees above normal, while Kalpa in Kinnaur reached 25.2 degrees, 4.9 degrees above normal. Una was the hottest location in the state at 38.6 degrees, 5.7 degrees above normal, with Solan, Bhuntar, Dharamshala, and Shimla also recording temperatures significantly above normal.

Minimum temperatures have remained two to five degrees above normal, with Paonta Sahib and Dehra Gopipur experiencing the highest nighttime temperature at 26.0 degrees.

As of the latest update, rain-related incidents have resulted in 177 fatalities since the monsoon season began, with 31 individuals still missing. The state has reported losses amounting to Rs 1,331 crore.

(With inputs from PTI)