Himachal Pradesh travel advisory: 115 road closed after heavy rains; IMD Issues orange alert

NEW DELHI: Heavy rains have caused significant disruption across Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closure of 115 roads to vehicular traffic and the issuance of an orange alert by the Shimla meteorological office. The orange alert, which is in effect until Friday, warns of heavy to very heavy rains along with thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas.A total of 115 roads are shut down, with 107 in Mandi, four in Chamba, three in Solan, and one in Kangra district affected. Additionally, 212 transformers are disrupted across the state, according to the state emergency operation center.A stretch between Mandi to Pandoh on the Chandigarh-Manali four-lane road has also developed cracks and is starting to sink, restricting the road to one-way traffic since Wednesday."Locals say a retaining wall was constructed by spending lakhs of rupees but it has started sinking and has gone down by about two feet and questions are being raised on the quality of construction."Project Manager Raj Shekar said, "The tarring work is going at the spot at war footing."The meteorological department has also issued a yellow warning for heavy rains over the weekend.The yellow warning cautions, "Damage to plantation, horticulture and standing crops, partial damage to vulnerable structures, minor damage to kutcha houses and huts due to strong winds and rain, disruption in traffic and waterlogging in low-lying areas."In Shimla, which has received 84 mm of rain since Wednesday evening, several trees were uprooted, and debris from drains has littered the roads. Statewide, Sundernagar recorded the highest rainfall with 111 mm, followed by Palampur with 109.4 mm.Other areas also saw substantial rainfall, including Shimla with 84 mm, Gohar 80 mm, Solan 79.8 mm, Mashobra 78.5 mm, Jogindernagar 75 mm, Baijnath 70 mm, Mandi 55.2 mm, and Kangra 44.2 mm. Narkanda in Shimla district registered the coldest night temperature at 13.4 degrees Celsius, while Bhuntar in Kullu recorded the highest daytime temperature at 35.6 degrees Celsius.