Himachal Rains: Landslide In Shimla, CM Sukhu Urges Public To Avoid Areas Prone To Flooding

Himachal Rain: Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a number of landslides in the past few weeks amid incessant rainfall.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during his visit to rain-affected areas, in Mandi district

Source : PTI

As heavy rains continued to pound Himachal Pradesh and the IMD issuing an "orange alert" till Thursday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the public to avoid the areas that are prone to flooding or landslides. Saying that many parts of Himachal were facing heavy rainfall, the CM requested citizens to refrain from any non-essential travel on the roads.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Sukhu wrote, "Many parts of Himachal Pradesh are facing heavy rainfall and are on high alert. I urge people to avoid areas prone to flooding and landslides. I kindly request everyone to refrain from any non-essential travel on the roads. The Government is closely monitoring the situation."

The CM's warning came even as heavy rains triggered a landslide in Shimla on Wednesday. Rescue and relief operations are underway, PTI reported.

Many parts of Himachal Pradesh are facing heavy rainfall and are on high alert.

I urge the people to avoid areas prone to flooding and landslides.

I kindly request everyone to refrain from any non-essential travel on the roads. The Government is closely monitoring the… pic.twitter.com/lSuDqHpdtz

— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) August 23, 2023

In another tweet, he asked the citizens to stay alert. He tweeted, "Heavy rain in Himachal. stay alert. stay safe."

हिमाचल में भारी बारिश ।

सतर्क रहें ।
सुरक्षित रहें । pic.twitter.com/eS458OnRWT

— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) August 23, 2023

Heavy rains in the first two days of the week have triggered landslides in Himachal Pradesh, claiming two lives and blocking over 200 more roads besides damaging some houses. The death toll in rain-related incidents in Shimla district in the past 10 days has increased to 26. 

Shimla town has been the worst hit, with landslides and uprooted trees. Cracks have also developed in some houses in Shimla city, PTI reported.

The meteorological office has issued an orange alert, warning of "heavy to very heavy rains" on Wednesday and Thursday. A yellow alert for heavy rain on August 25 and 26 has also been issued. The MeT office has predicted a wet spell in the state till August 28.

All schools have been closed for two days in Shimla, Mandi and Solan districts.