Flash floods, landslides, rains wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh; many killed

Heavy rains have triggered landslides and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh and a landslide on the Chandigarh-Manali highway.

According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) around 83 roads and two national highways have been closed in Himachal Pradesh. A total of 35 roads have been blocked in Mandi alone, it said.

On Sunday evening the Kullu-Kataula area, which is prone to heavy landslides, was hit by a landslide due to heavy rains. Roads there are also blocked and reopening the road would take around four to five hours, according to officials.

A flash flood hit the Bagipul area of the State's Mandi district, with over 200 people including tourists and locals stranded, police said on Sunday.

The restoration work is consistently going on.

The Himachal Tourism and Civil Aviation Department issued an advisory for tourists amid rains lashing several parts of the state asking them to secure their safety.

Himachal Tourism further advised tourists to strictly follow guided trek routes as traffic congestion may eventually clear, the primary concern lies with tourists venturing onto unguided trek routes.

Additionally, Himachal Tourism emphasized that the tourists must ensure that the GPS function on their mobile phones is enabled at all times, allowing their location to be tracked throughout their journey.

Himachal Tourism advised them to avoid driving in conditions of mist, rain, and fog and make the most of their stay and travel experiences in the hills while also showing respect for the mountains' sacredness.

Significantly, rains have been lashing several parts of the state resulting in heavy damage to the infrastructure. It also caused the blockage of several roads and highways.