Key Facts
Himachal Pradesh witnessed a shift in monsoon activity on Saturday, July 11, with heavy rain lashing the capital Shimla while plains experienced a rise in humidity after a brief pause in rainfall. The State Disaster Management Authority reported that as of Saturday evening, 189 roads remained closed, 146 electricity transformers were affected, and 104 drinking water schemes were disrupted across the state.
Shimla and Surroundings
In Shimla, clouds unleashed heavy rain in the afternoon, providing relief from the earlier heat. However, the downpour triggered a landslide in the Bhotwel area of Sanjauli late Friday night, endangering four houses and two shops. Residents panicked as the landslide occurred around 4 am. In New Shimla and other parts of the city, falling debris damaged several vehicles. By Saturday afternoon, light clouds prevailed, and rain occurred between 3 pm and 5 pm, making the weather pleasant.
Impact on Districts
Kullu
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. Due to the rain and strong currents, over four culverts connecting Shakti, Maraud, and Shugad villages were washed away. The district still has 51 closed roads, affecting connectivity to several rural areas.
Sirmaur
Sirmaur remained one of the worst-affected districts, with 50 roads closed and 25 transformers damaged, disrupting power supply in many areas. Additionally, 58 drinking water and six irrigation schemes were impacted. The district also reported damage to potato, ginger, and oilseed crops.
Kangra
Cloudy skies prevailed throughout Saturday in Kangra. Dharamshala and surrounding areas experienced dense fog in the evening, reducing visibility.
Chamba
No rain occurred in Chamba on Saturday, leading to humid conditions throughout the day. A landslide near Batti di Hatti on the Bharmour-Pathankot National Highway disrupted traffic for about 15 minutes before machinery cleared the route.
Hamirpur and Una
Sunshine returned to Hamirpur and Una, causing heat and humidity. Temperatures in Una, Mandi, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur exceeded 30°C on Saturday.
Rain Alert for Five Districts
The Meteorological Center Shimla has issued a yellow alert for rain on Sunday, July 12, for parts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi districts. Light to moderate rain is expected to continue in many parts of the state until July 17.
Maximum Temperatures Recorded on July 11
- Sundernagar: 33.0°C
- Mandi: 32.4°C
- Bhartheen: 31.9°C
- Neri: 31.4°C
- Una: 31.0°C
- Bilaspur: 31.0°C
- Kangra: 29.0°C
- Chamba: 28.4°C
- Nahan: 28.1°C
- Solan: 26.8°C
- Shimla: 23.4°C
- Manali: 22.2°C
FAQ
Which districts are on rain alert in Himachal on July 12?
Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Mandi districts have a yellow alert for rain on July 12.
How many roads are closed in Himachal due to rain?
As of July 11 evening, 189 roads were closed across the state.
What was the maximum temperature in Shimla on July 11?
Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 23.4°C on July 11.