Key Facts
Himachal Pradesh continues to experience heavy monsoon activity. Late Tuesday night, a cloudburst occurred in the Hurla-Fancha nala of Garsa valley in Kullu district. The resulting flash flood washed away a culvert in Kasheri nala under Patlikuhal's Pangaan panchayat, cutting off road connectivity to the village. Meanwhile, a landslide near Maihgal in Mandi district blocked the Mandi-Pathankot highway at Lavandi.
Details of the Cloudburst and Damage
The cloudburst in Garsa valley triggered a sudden surge of water in the Hurla-Fancha stream, leading to flooding in downstream areas. The culvert at Kasheri nala, which served as a vital link for Pangaan panchayat, was completely washed away. Local authorities have been alerted, and restoration work is expected to begin once weather conditions improve. No casualties have been reported so far.
Yellow Alert for Five Districts
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts for Thursday and Friday. These areas are likely to receive heavy rainfall at isolated places. Residents have been advised to stay cautious and avoid venturing near rivers and landslide-prone areas.
Impact on Infrastructure
In Chamba district, vehicular movement on the Bharmour-Pathankot highway was halted for an hour near Durgethi due to a landslide. Four link roads remain closed, and about 15 transformers have been shut down, disrupting power supply to 80 villages. In Mandi district, four roads are closed and 14 distribution transformers are affected. Waterlogging was reported on the Mandi-Kullu foreland at Bindravani. In Hamirpur, weather remained normal after morning rain, while Kangra district saw cloudy skies with light showers in some areas. Una also experienced partly cloudy conditions.
Maximum Temperatures Recorded
On Wednesday, the highest maximum temperature in the state was recorded at Bhuntar (33.0°C), followed by Una (33.0°C), Neri (32.2°C), Kangra (30.9°C), Dharamshala (30.0°C), Chamba (29.2°C), Bilaspur (27.5°C), Nahan (26.9°C), Mandi (26.8°C), Solan (26.5°C), Shimla (22.2°C), and Manali (20.8°C).
What Readers Should Know
- Travelers on the Mandi-Pathankot highway should check road conditions before journeying.
- Residents in yellow-alert districts should remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain.
- Power restoration in affected areas is underway but may take time due to ongoing rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the cloudburst occur in Himachal?
The cloudburst occurred in the Hurla-Fancha nala of Garsa valley in Kullu district late Tuesday night.
Which districts are under yellow alert?
Yellow alert has been issued for Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts for Thursday and Friday.
What was the maximum temperature in Shimla?
Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 22.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.