Orange alert in parts of Himachal: Heavy rains claim 7 more lives; 700 roads blocked
Himachal Rains: At least seven people have been killed after heavy rains triggered landslides in Himachal Pradesh and blocked over 400 more roads besides damaging several houses.
The Met Office issued a red alert on Wednesday, predicting "heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated spells of extremely heavy rains" in six of the state's 12 districts, including Shimla, for the next 24 hours.
Following three significant episodes of severe rains this Monsoon that have left a trail of death and destruction, 709 roads in the state have now been closed.
In light of the heavy rain expected, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged people to be cautious.
Five people were killed in landslides caused by cloud bursts in two villages in the Seraj area of Mandi district, according to Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chaudhary.
Parma Nand (62) and his grandson Gopi (14) were killed in a landslide at Dagol village of Seraj in Mandi district, while three others were killed in Sarachi village. More people are said to be trapped in the debris. A few houses and a school have also been damaged in the region.
Landslides and uprooted trees obstructed the major cart road, the town's lifeline, as well as the Shimla-Mehli bypass, at several locations. Many homes have also developed cracks, and residents have been evacuated as a precaution.
Over 80 people have died in rain-related accidents in the state this month, bringing the total to 238 deaths and 40 missing since the start of the monsoon in Himachal Pradesh on June 24.
In the afternoon, a red alert was issued for parts of Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts. On August 24, the Met Department issued an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rains.
Beginning Wednesday, all schools and colleges in Shimla, Mandi, and Solan districts were closed for two days.
Some houses in the Solan district were also destroyed by the landslides.