Almost the whole of Himachal Pradesh was left drenched on Sunday as the state witnessed heaviest monsoon rains this season in the last 24 hours, triggering landslides at many places and affected traffic at many places. The meteorological department has predicted that heavy rains may continue for the next 72 hours. Around half-a-dozen vehicles were damaged due to flash flood near Kaza town on Saturday night.
Though water entered inside some houses, no major damage was reported even as people were left awake all night. According to sources, a dry nullah all of a sudden overflowed with gushing water from mountains on Saturday night, which snapped the road connectivity with Kaza town. Traffic remained suspended till Sunday afternoon. Local residents said nullah was almost dry for last many years with very less water flowing in it even during rains, but the way it flooded on Saturday indicated cloud burst in higher mountains.
Though minor landslides were also reported on some of the national highways, there was no effect on traffic movement. However, internal roads in Hamirpur and Kangra districts were the most affected due to heavy rains. Road stretch near Rohni nullah on Rohtang pass too remained closed though Manali and its surrounding areas received very less rain. In Kangra district, landslides affected connectivity between Dharamshala and Kangra towns.
With fresh warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next 72 hours, people in the hill state fear more landslides, which may disrupt timely transportation of apple crop to markets located outside the state. During the last 24-hours, Shimla received 16 mm rainfall, Dharamshala recorded 20.6 mm while Mandi town received 86 mm of showers.
Other parts of the state where good amount of rainfall was recorded include Sujanpur Tira (80 mm), Malraun and Nehri (73 mm each), Kahu (69 mm), Sihunta (59 mm), Sundernagar (52 mm), Shahpur (49 mm), Ramshar (34 mm), Gaggal (33 mm), Thana Plaun and Ghumarwin (28 mm each), Hamirpur and Berthin (22 mm each), Bilaspur (17 mm) and Nahan (12 mm).
Between June 1 and July 17 this year, the state recorded 46% deficit rain, but since the beginning of August good amount of rainfall has been seen in most parts of the state.