SHIMLA: Reports of landslides continue to roll in from several parts of Himachal Pradesh. Chandigarh-Manali National Highway was blocked near Pandoh in Mandi district due to landslides at 7 Mile and 4 Mile areas. Falling boulders damaged two vehicles but fortunately no loss of life was reported in the incident.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, rainfall for July was 289.1 mm with departure from normal rainfall (273.0 mm) of 6%. In the state, highest rainfall of 309.3mm (7%) in July was recorded in 2005.
Another incident of landslide in NH-305 at Khanag area of Anni sub-division in Kullu district was reported due to which the traffic was blocked. Authorities had pressed men and machinery into service to reopen the blocked roads.
In Kinnaur, landslide was reported in Plingi Nichar road. In Chamba district, landslide triggered rockslide at Panela Zero Point of Sarotha nullah due to which police officials have advised the commuters not to take this route to reach Chamba.
Incessant rainfall in many parts of state has made the hilly roads marshy and slippery. The poor visibility amid fog also makes the driving risky, so authorities have requested the drivers to drive carefully and to switch on foglights for safety of everyone.
In Lahail-Spiti district, NH-505 was blocked near Batal due to rockslides. The district administration is working on clearing the road and officials said it will take about 3-4 hours to clear the road. Those who are travelling to Gramphu-Batal-Chandertal-Lossar-Kaza road were advised to avoid taking this route.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, out of the 12 districts, Kullu received large excess rainfall in July, Hamirpur and Kangra received excess rainfall, Bilaspur, Kinnaur, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Una and Solan received normal rainfall, and Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti received deficient rainfall.
Total numbers of three active wet spells of monsoon currents arrived in Himachal Pradesh which gave light to moderate rainfall over most of the days.
Disaster Events In July-
July 12-13: Heavy rain and landslide at various places in Kangra district
July 19-20: Heavy rain and landslide at various places in Chamba (Balogi) & Kangra (Dehra)
July 25: Landslide at Batseri, Sangla in Kinnaur, resulting into the death of 9 persons, including 8 tourists
July 27-28: Heavy rain and landslide at various places in Chamba, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti resulting into death of around 12 persons
July 30: Heavy rain and landslide near Ponta Sahib on NH-707
Night Travel Banned
MANALI: With frequent spells of rains triggering landslides along the Chandigarh-Manali national highway between Kullu and Mandi, both Mandi and Kullu district administrations have ordered to keep the highway closed during night time till further orders. Kullu DC Ashutosh Garg said the NHAI project director stated that the stretch between Mandi and Pandoh was experiencing rockslides due to rains and night travel was not advisable. “Mandi DC has also issued orders not to allow traffic movement on the highway after 8pm,” he said.
