Heavy Rainfall Causes Disruption in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, a hill resort town in Himachal Pradesh, has been experiencing heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, causing significant disruptions. The downpour has led to several trees being uprooted, resulting in partial damage to the Information and Public Relations Office at Chhota Shimla.
According to the local weather centre in Shimla, the region recorded 41 mm of rainfall during this period. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall across various parts of Himachal Pradesh for the next 24 hours. Dr. Kuldeep Srivastava, head of IMD HP, indicated that four districts in the state are expected to experience heavy rain. He stated, “During the past 24 hours, we have observed light to moderate rainfall in several districts of Himachal Pradesh. Manali received 42 mm and Shimla received 41 mm of rainfall. Heavy rain is anticipated in the Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi regions. While the monsoon is currently 30% below average in the state, August’s rainfall remains normal. We have issued a yellow warning for heavy rains for the next 24 hours.”
Earlier on August 22, the district administration reported that at least 20 bodies had been recovered from rubble after multiple landslides hit Shimla following incessant rainfall in Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla District Administration held an emergency meeting on August 21 to address the situation and begin road restoration.
Meanwhile, the sinking areas of Shimla city are increasingly concerning scientists and geological experts, who have observed a rising number of landslides and ground subsidence in the region. Experts stress that controlling and channelling surface water is crucial to prevent further soil saturation and mitigate the risks associated with these sinking areas. Dr. S.S. Randhawa, Principal Scientist at the Centre for Climate Change within the Department of Environment, Science, and Technology of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, is leading research on this issue. Heading a geological team that studied and reported on last year’s floods in Shimla, Dr. Randhawa emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to guide the city’s future development.
Doubts Revealed
Shimla -: Shimla is a beautiful hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It’s known for its cool weather and scenic views.
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India, famous for its mountains and hill stations like Shimla and Manali.
India Meteorological Department -: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is a government agency that studies the weather and gives forecasts about rain, storms, and other weather conditions.
yellow warning -: A yellow warning is a type of alert given by weather agencies to inform people about potential bad weather, like heavy rain, so they can be prepared.
landslides -: Landslides happen when a lot of earth or rocks slide down a hill or mountain, often caused by heavy rain or earthquakes.
ground subsidence -: Ground subsidence is when the ground sinks or collapses, which can happen due to heavy rain, mining, or other activities.
water management -: Water management means planning and controlling how water is used and stored to prevent problems like floods or droughts.