Monsoon lash Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides

New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) Rains lashed many areas of Himachal Pradesh, including lower and mid hills, triggering landslides, in the last 24 hours.

All rivers, including the Sutlej and the Beas, flowing through the state were in spate.

In Gujarat, the third round of monsoon rain in most parts of the state since Friday has wiped out the deficit even in the country's westernmost drought-prone districts of Kutch and Jamnagar.

In Madhya Pradesh, monsoon was strong overnight in Hoshangabad, Ujjain and Indore divisions. Maximum precipitation of 13 cm was recorded at Udaynagar and Bagli.

Reports from Yamunanagar district of Haryana said five villages falling in the Chachhrauli area were inundated following a sudden rise in water level in the Yamuna river. However, no loss of life has been reported from anywhere from the affected areas, though there has been a loss to property including crops.

The sudden rise in the water level in the Markanda river , in the state, due to heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of adjoining Himachal Pradesh, washed away another 200 feet of the bridge over the river near Saudhra village, a report from Jagadari said.

Rains also lashed Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and tourist places of Wildflower Hall, Kufri and Narkanda in Shimla district.

UNI TEAM PA KP1939