Heavy Rainfall Alert in Himachal Pradesh
Dr Kuldeep Srivastava Issues Warning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall for Himachal Pradesh over the next three days. An orange alert has been issued for August 7 and 8, indicating potential severe weather conditions.
Dr Kuldeep Srivastava, Head of IMD in Himachal Pradesh, explained, “The overall monsoon of the season is less than normal. During the past 24 hours, the state has experienced 67 mm of rainfall in Hamirpur, with other stations reporting light to moderate rainfall. The state is expected to receive rainfall at isolated places over the next 24 hours.”
The IMD has noted that the monsoon trough is shifting northward, which will increase the eastern and southwestern flow of moisture. This shift is likely to result in heavy to very heavy rainfall, particularly in the Kangra, Hamirpur, and Chamba districts. “The department has consequently issued an orange alert for these areas on August 7 and 8 due to the anticipated severe weather,” he said. “We have already issued an advisory for rain and floods in the region,” Dr Srivastava added.
Cloud cover is prevalent across the state, leading to widespread fog. Light rainfall is currently being observed in Shimla city and surrounding areas. Residents and travellers in Himachal Pradesh are advised to stay alert and follow safety guidelines as the weather conditions are expected to significantly impact daily activities and may lead to potential flooding.
Two incidents of flash floods at separate places in Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh were reported on Monday. The Manali-Leh National Highway 3 has been blocked near Zing zingbar following the flash flood incident today, police said. The sudden surge of water, triggered by heavy rain, caused substantial damage to the road, leading to the accumulation of debris and rocks. “All traffic is halted at Darcha and Sarchu police check posts until the road is cleared,” the Lahaul Spiti Police said in an advisory for travellers about traffic being stopped.
According to the police, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been swiftly mobilised to address the situation and teams are currently on the site working to clear the debris. “Travellers are advised to avoid the area until the highway is fully reopened. Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates on the progress of the clearance operation,” police said.
Doubts Revealed
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and valleys.
Dr Kuldeep Srivastava -: Dr Kuldeep Srivastava is a scientist who works at the India Meteorological Department and gives weather forecasts.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) -: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is a government agency that studies the weather and gives forecasts about rain, storms, and other weather conditions.
Orange alert -: An orange alert is a warning that tells people to be ready for bad weather, like heavy rain, and to take precautions to stay safe.
Monsoon season -: The monsoon season is a time of the year when it rains a lot in India, usually from June to September.
Kangra, Hamirpur, and Chamba -: Kangra, Hamirpur, and Chamba are districts in Himachal Pradesh, which means they are areas within the state.
Flash floods -: Flash floods are sudden and strong floods that happen quickly, usually because of heavy rain.
Lahaul and Spiti -: Lahaul and Spiti are remote districts in Himachal Pradesh, known for their high mountains and cold weather.
Manali-Leh National Highway -: The Manali-Leh National Highway is a long road that connects the town of Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in the Ladakh region, and it goes through high mountains.
