Continuing heavy rainfall is causing significant disruptions in Himachal Pradesh, with the Beas River overflowing and leading to flood-like conditions in numerous areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow' alert, indicating the potential for substantial rainfall in the state on Monday. Due to relentless downpours triggering landslides and road blockages over the last 24 hours, the state government has decided to close all schools and colleges.
According to the state emergency operation center, a total of 621 roads are currently inaccessible for vehicular traffic in Himachal. Among these, 236 roads in Mandi, 59 in Shimla, and 40 in Bilaspur district are the most affected. The Shimla-Kalka National Highway, a crucial route between Shimla and Chandigarh, has experienced recurring landslides over the past fortnight.
On Sunday, at Chakki Mor near Koti in Solan, a multitude of heavy vehicles were stranded due to continuous sliding that hindered road movement throughout the day. Smaller vehicles are being redirected through alternate routes.
The local Meteorological station in Himachal has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated locations from August 14 to 17. This prediction suggests a prolonged wet period in the state until August 19.
In other regions of Northwest India, forecasts indicate light to moderate rainfall, with scattered to fairly widespread rainfall and isolated instances of heavy rainfall expected over Uttarakhand until August 17. In Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh, this pattern is forecasted until August 14.
The IMD's forecast extends to East India, where light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall is anticipated. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim until Tuesday, over Gangetic West Bengal on August 16 and 17, and over Odisha and Jharkhand from August 15 to 17. Additionally, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to experience this weather from August 14 to 16.
Looking towards Northeast India, the IMD anticipates light to moderate, fairly widespread to widespread rainfall. Isolated heavy rainfall activity is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from Sunday to August 17.
For Central, West, and South India, the IMD's projection indicates light to moderate isolated to scattered rainfall. Isolated heavy rainfall activity is anticipated over East Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on August 16 and 17. In the remaining parts of these regions, subdued rainfall activity is expected over the next 7 days.
