New Delhi: A cloudburst in Rampur subdivision of Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla damaged a school, two houses and agricultural land, while National Highway 5 near Jhakri and Joeri regions was blocked due to a landslide, news agency PTI reported. According to Sub Divisional Magistrate, Rampur, Nishant Tomar, as many as 17 sheep and goats were swept away following the cloudburst. However, no human casualty has been reported so far.
As per SDM Tomar, immediate relief has been provided to the people affected and restoration work in the landslide-hit area is underway.
Meanwhile, the local weather office has issued an 'orange alert' predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in eight of the 12 districts of the hill state on July 26 and 27. It also cautioned against landslides, flash floods, mudslides and increased runoff in rivers.
According to state emergency response centre data, as many as 652 houses were completely damaged, while 6,686 were partially damaged, besides 236 shops and 2,037 cow sheds since the onset of monsoon in Himachal Pradesh on June 24.
A total of 168 people have lost their lives in rain-related and road accidents, and the hill state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 5,350 crore, the data further showed, adding a total of 566 roads are still closed for vehicular traffic.
Meanwhile, the MeT has sounded a 'yellow alert’ for heavy rain on July 28 and predicted a wet spell in the hill state till July 31. It also issued a warning of moderate to high risk of flash floods in Chamba, Kangra, Shimla and Sirmaur districts.
According to the report, heavy to very heavy rains lashed Sirmaur district and Jatton Barrage received 156 mm of rain, followed by Renuka with 120 mm, Nahan 113 mm, Pachhad 103 mm, Rajgarh 74 mm and Sangraha 68 mm.
Light to moderate showers lashed several parts, with Kasauli recording 63 mm of rain, followed by Chopal 54 mm, Solan 52 mm and Rampur 45 mm rain.