Key Facts
Himachal Pradesh witnessed a shift in monsoon activity on Saturday, with Shimla receiving heavy rainfall in the afternoon while plains experienced a rise in humidity after a brief lull. The State Disaster Management Authority reported that 189 roads remained closed, 146 electricity transformers were affected, and 104 drinking water schemes were disrupted as of Saturday evening.
Heavy Rain and Landslides in Shimla
In the capital city, a landslide occurred in the Bhotwal area of Sanjauli early Saturday morning, threatening four houses and two shops. The incident triggered panic among residents. Similar landslides and debris falls in New Shimla and other parts of the city damaged several vehicles. After a cloudy afternoon, light rain began around 3 PM and continued until 5 PM, making the weather pleasant.
Kullu District: River Swells, Bridges Washed Away
Heavy rain late Friday night caused the Pin Parvati river to swell, leading to water entering two houses in the Shakti area. The administration evacuated both houses as a precaution. More than four culverts connecting Shakti, Maraud, and Shugad villages were washed away due to strong currents. The district still has 51 closed roads, disrupting connectivity to several rural areas.
Sirmour and Kangra Districts Affected
Sirmour remained one of the worst-hit districts, with 50 roads closed, 25 transformers affected, and 58 drinking water and six irrigation schemes impacted. Crops including potatoes, ginger, and oilseeds suffered damage. In Kangra, cloudy skies prevailed throughout Saturday, with dense fog reducing visibility in Dharamshala and surrounding areas during the evening.
Chamba, Hamirpur, Una, and Other Areas
Chamba district experienced humid conditions due to no rainfall. A landslide near Batti Di Hatti on the Bharmour-Pathankot National Highway disrupted traffic for about 15 minutes before being cleared. Hamirpur and Una saw sunshine and heat, with temperatures exceeding 30°C in Una, Mandi, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur.
Yellow Alert for Five Districts
The Meteorological Center Shimla has issued a yellow alert for parts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi districts on Sunday. Light to moderate rain is expected to continue across many parts of the state until July 17.
Maximum Temperatures Recorded (in °C)
- Sundernagar: 33.0
- Mandi: 32.4
- Barthin: 31.9
- Neri: 31.4
- Una: 31.0
- Bilaspur: 31.0
- Kangra: 29.0
- Chamba: 28.4
- Nahan: 28.1
- Solan: 26.8
- Shimla: 23.4
- Manali: 22.2
FAQ
Which districts in Himachal are under yellow alert for rain?
Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi districts have been issued a yellow alert for Sunday.
How many roads were closed due to rain in Himachal?
As of Saturday evening, 189 roads were closed across the state.
What was the maximum temperature recorded in Shimla?
Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 23.4°C on Saturday.