Yellow Alert in Himachal: Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm Warning Issued

The local Met office has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in 10 out of 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, excluding Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti. The state has experienced significant rainfall over the past 24 hours, resulting in road closures and a rainfall deficit since the onset of the monsoon. The heavy rain has led to casualties and substantial financial losses.

The local Met office has raised a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated spots across ten out of twelve districts of Himachal Pradesh, sparing only Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti on Thursday.

Moderate showers have lashed various parts of the state over the last 24 hours since Tuesday evening. Manali recorded 42 mm of rain, followed closely by Narkanda at 41.5 mm, while Kufri and Jubbarhatti saw 39.6 mm and 39 mm respectively. Other affected areas include Khadrala, Shimla, Kasauli, and Sarahan.

On Tuesday, a total of 126 roads were closed across the state according to the state emergency operation centre. While the rainfall deficit stands at 23 per cent since the monsoon onset on June 27, the number of rain-related deaths has climbed to 144 and resultant damages have racked up losses amounting to Rs 1,217 crore, officials reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)