IMD issues ‘Red’ and ‘Orange’ alerts in Himachal for next 24 hours

Himachal Pradesh, which has been severely affected by rain for the past few days, doesn’t appear to be getting any immediate relief as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued red and orange alerts for numerous of the hill-state’s districts for the ensuing 24 hours.

“A red alert has been issued for very heavy rainfall in Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur, and Lahaul for the next 24 hours. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued in Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Chamba. A flash flood warning has been issued for Mandi, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti for the next 24 hours,” said senior IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma on Monday.

Jairam Thakur, a former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, said on Monday that the state had experienced unusual rainfall over the past few days and expressed concern over the deaths and damage to public facilities.

Sources reported Thakur as saying that Himachal Pradesh had not seen such rain in its history and that over 12 significant bridges had been damaged. Thakur is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Assembly.

“We never saw such a situation in the past several years. I am very concerned over the prevailing situation in the state. Several big and small rivers are in spate and if the situation persists over the next few days, there could be further damage,” he said.

In Himachal Pradesh, the rains have created havoc by causing landslides, power outages, traffic blockages, and bridge damage. Over the last 48 hours, 20 people in the state have died as a result of nature’s wrath. In some areas of the hill state, tourists were left stranded, and the damage to the infrastructure is believed to have cost between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, claimed on Monday that the state has not experienced such heavy rainfall in the previous 50 years. In his Monday conversation with the Himachal Pradesh chief minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of the complete support of the federal government.