Himachal to witness widespread rain till August 18: IMD

With light to moderate rain was witnessed at many places on Friday, the MeT department predicted that on August 15, rainfall activity is likely to continue, although its intensity may decrease

The India Meteorological Department has predicted that rains will continue to lash Himachal Pradesh from August 14 to August 18, with varying intensity.

A landslide blocked the Bilaspur-Shimla highway on Thursday night near the Bilaspur-Solan border between Bhararighat and Nalag. (HT File)

With light to moderate rain was witnessed at many places on Friday, the MeT department predicted that on August 15, rainfall activity is likely to continue, although its intensity may decrease. A yellow alert has been issued for Bilaspur, Kangra and Mandi.

Sandeep Kumar Sharma, senior scientist, IMD Shimla said, “Monsoon activity is expected to strengthen again from August 16, when heavy rainfall is possible in Chamba, Kangra and Mandi. A heavy-rain warning has been issued for these areas.”

He said that on August 17 and 18, rainfall will continue across the state. Orange alerts have been issued for August 18 for Kangra and Sirmaur, while isolated areas may receive very heavy rainfall. Sharma said that although no fresh flash-flood warning was currently in place, the possibility could increase if rainfall intensifies. However he advised people to remain cautious near rivers, streams and other water bodies as water levels can rise suddenly during intense rainfall.

Narrow escape for bus as landslide block Bilaspur-Shimla highway

Rains also disrupted road connectivity. As of Friday evening till 5 pm, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that 144 roads were blocked, though no national highway was blocked, and 250 water supply schemes were affected across the state.