Life disrupted as heavy rains lash northwest region

Chandigarh, Aug 15 (UNI) Life was disrupted in many parts of northewest region due to heavy rainfall, which the weatherman predicted was likely to intensify in the next two days.

Chandigarh recorded 19 mm rains, Panchkula in Haryana received 26 mm and in Punjab, Ludhiana recorded 24 mm and Patiala 27.2 mm of rains in the last 24 hours.

In Chandigarh and neighbouring districts of Punjab and Haryana, rains disrupted normal activities at many places due to water logging.

An engineering student was swept away in the water canal inside the popular Rose Garden in the heart of the 'City Beautiful' yesterday.

In some of the low-lying areas like Rajiv Colony, houses and streets were flooded with murky water from nearby nullahs. Many shanties alongside the nullahs were also swept away by the sudden rush and rise in waters.

Moderate to heavy rain since last 24 hrs caused damage to property in many places of Himachal Pradesh and affected telecommunication, water supply and electricity in the state.

A two-storey house collapsed in village Rampuri of Shimla district, under which two Jersey cows were buried.

The state capital Shimla recorded highest rainfall at 33.8 mm, Sundernagar 15.0 mm, Nahan 20.6 mm, Kalpa 5.6 mm, Dharmshala 4.8 mm and Una 8.6 mm.

The vehicular traffic on NH-22 from Dali to Rampur was disrupted due to landslides at many places.

The rains are also posing threat to prepared Apple crops, Cherry, mango, tomato, brinjal and capsicum.

However, the power generation of six units of 1500 MW Nathpa Jakhri Power station which was closed due to silt problem has once again started due to decrease in silt level.

The Met office has forecast rains with thunder and lightning in Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.

The weatherman has also warned that heavy showers would lash many parts of Himachal in the next two days.

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