The effect of monsoon activity is visible in Himachal Pradesh. Heavy rain fell in many parts of the state on Sunday. Heavy rain continued for about three hours in the afternoon in the capital Shimla. The Meteorological Department has predicted clear weather in most parts of the state for the next two days. After this, the monsoon will gain strength again and heavy rain is expected in many districts. The department has warned of rain with thunder and lightning in six districts on September 18. A yellow alert has been issued in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan districts regarding this. The weather is expected to remain bad from September 19 to 21.
Dr Kuldeep Srivastava, Director of Meteorological Centre, Shimla, said that there will be a decrease in monsoon activities for the next two days. The weather will be clear in the plains, while there is a possibility of light rain at some places in the mid-mountainous and high mountainous areas. A yellow alert has been issued for rain along with thunder and lightning in the mid-mountainous areas on September 18. In view of the alert, he has advised people to be cautious while stepping out of their homes. Along with this, local people and tourists coming from outside have been instructed to keep a distance from rivers and streams.
Monsoon was kind in September, clouds rained 5% more than normal
Monsoon has been kind to the state in the month of September. In the first two weeks of September, there has been five percent more rain than normal. Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts received more rain than normal. On the other hand, Kangra, Una, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts received less rain than normal. The state has recorded 20 percent less rain than normal during the monsoon season.
During the last 24 hours, Kasauli in Solan district received the highest rainfall of 53 mm. Apart from this, Dharampur received 26 mm rainfall, Renuka 20 mm, Karsog 10 mm, Chowki 9 mm, Nahan and Kalpa 8 mm each, Sarahan, Kangra and Dharamshala 6 mm each, Sangla 4 mm, Kandakghat, Kasaul, Shimla, Jagendranagar, Dalhousie and Manali received 1 mm each.
Traffic on 38 roads stopped due to landslides, 11 power transformers damaged
Roads are still closed at many places due to landslides caused by monsoon rains. According to the State Emergency Operation Center, 38 roads remained closed due to landslides in the state till Sunday evening. However, traffic is running smoothly on all national highways of the state. Maximum 10 roads are blocked in Kangra district. Similarly, 8-8 roads are blocked in Mandi and Shimla, 5 in Lahaul-Spiti, 3-3 in Kinnaur and Kullu and 1 in Sirmaur. At the same time, 11 transformers are also damaged in the state due to lightning. Electricity is out due to the breakdown of 4-4 transformers in Chamba and Kullu and 3 in Lahaul-Spiti.