IMD Issues Flash Flood Warning For Himachal Pradesh For Next 24 Hours

The IMD also warned that the state will witness 5 days of heavy rainfall, and there will be thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places over plains

The India Meteorological Department of Himachal Pradesh issued a warning of flash flood on Sunday for the next 24 hours until 1:00 PM on June 26 in the state. It said moderate to high risk is expected over a few watersheds and neighbourhoods of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts in Himachal Pradesh. It also warned of surface run-off and inundation in some of the fully saturated watersheds and low-lying areas due to expected persistent rainfall in the next 24 hours.

The IMD also warned that the state will witness 5 days of heavy rainfall, and there will be thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places over plains, and low and mid hills on June 25 and 26.

According to the forecast, torrential rains are likely to damage standing crops, fruit plants and seedlings. The weather department advised farmers to make adequate arrangements to avoid the direct impact of rain, thunder and lightning on the new plants. 

Meanwhile, cloudbursts and heavy rains were reported in Sarpara village in Rampur tehsil of Shimla on Sunday.

Incessant rains in the last 24 hours have already caused a lot of damage in multiple areas of the Mandi district in the state. Several vehicles were swept away due to a flash flood in a rivulet at Janjehli in Mandi, as reported by news agency ANI.

Multiple houses, that are located downstream, are facing the added risk of flash flood-like situations. Many cases of landslides are surfacing in the media, reported ANI. The water level in the Beas River, which passes through Mandi has also gone up because of overnight rains.

Heavy rain has caused a lot of damage to properties in the Manthala Panchayat region of Sadar Vidhansabha in the Mandi district. 

Sadar MLA Anil Sharma went to the site to meet the affected people and took stock of the situation on the ground. He also instructed the Jal Shakti Department, including the administration and PWD to ensure relief and road restoration.

In the last 24 hours, Mandi received 64.4 mm of rainfall. Several other parts of the states were also hugely affected due to heavy rains.