New Delhi: After heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urged people to stay away from rivers and water bodies, stating that there is a "chance of further heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours."
Notably, the weather department has issued a red alert in Himachal Pradesh for the next two days.
Speaking on the rain situation in the state, Sukhu said, "I appeal to everyone not to go nearby any rivers or water bodies because there is a chance of further heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours...everyone must be cautious and we have instructed the administration as well to take all the precautions and alert the people."
The continuous downpour has torn apart the normal life of residents and has induced flash floods and landslides in several regions killing five people, reported PTI citing officials.
As per the agency, three members of a family were killed in a house collapse following a landslide due to rains in the Kotgarh area of Shimla district. On the other hand, a landslide also damaged a makeshift house near Kullu town, leaving a woman dead.
In another incident, a person was buried alive following a landslide in Katiyan tehsil of Chamba on Saturday night, PTI reported.
According to ANI, train movement on the Shimla-Kalka heritage rail track has been cancelled for Sunday due to ongoing heavy rains and subsequent slides and waterlogging, said HP Traffic, Tourist and Railways Police. The railway track between Koti and Sanwara railway stations at Tunnel No. 10 has also been closed due to heavy rainfall on the Kalka-Shimla railway route, ANI reported.
Meanwhile, security teams are carrying out rescue operations in different areas to save people who are stuck due to persistent rainfall and flash floods in the state. Kullu Police said that due to heavy rains, the movement of vehicles from Kullu and Manali towards Atal Tunnel and Rohtang has been completely stopped due to falling of stones at many places on the Kullu-Manali road and due to the increase in water level in Beas River near Ramshila, reported ANI.