Heavy rains lash Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, July 18: Heavy rains lashed many areas in Himachal Pradesh even as two bridges and a major portion of the helipad at Sangla were damaged by flash floods triggered by cloudburst at Kharogala Nalla in Sangla valley of Kinnaur district.

Flash floods damaged two bridges resulting in closure of Chhitkul link road while three power projects were closed for some time due to high silt level in Sutlej river.

Heavy rains lashed Sirmaur, Mandi, Solan, Shimla and Una districts and Paonta Sahib was wettest in the region with 104 mm rains while Jogindernagar, Berthin and Dharampur recorded 43 mm, 39 mm and 38 mm rains, followed by Kasauli and Sundernagar 35 mm, Una 30 mm, Mehre 29 mm, Mashobra 28 mm, Sarkaghat 26mm, Dharamshala- 24 mm, Jubbal 22 mm and Nagrota Suriyan 20 mm. Shimla and Kufri recorded 18.5 mm rains while Solan received 17.5 mm rains, local MeT office said.

The local Met office has predicted rains or thundershowers at few places in lower, mid and higher hills over next six days from tomorrow.

The water level in Sutlej river has suddenly increased due to flash floods triggered by cloud burst. Sub Divisional Magistrate of Rampur, Nishant Thakur sounded an alert, advising the people not to go near the banks of river Sutlej to avoid any risk.

There was no loss of life but an aged couple struggled for life throughout the night and rested on a cliff in Kalpa sub-division, with gushing waters flowing underneath and were rescued this morning.

The couple cried for help and sent signals by flashing torch light and the rescuers and officials of local administration also reciprocated the signals with flash lights.

The Rescue operations were delayed due to darkness at night and the couple was rescued this morning said Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kalpa Arvind Sharma. In view of inclement weather, the local administration has cautioned the people against going near the banks.

PTI