Incessant rains and landslides in Himachal Pradesh have caused flash floods, road blocks and chaos all over. The Mandi-Kullu highway, that was closed on Monday was opened after 20 hours of being blocked.
However, due to flash floods in Dared Nala, Tandi-Killar state highway and many key roads were blocked on Tuesday.
With over 300 roads closed after the landslides, tourists were left stranded in many areas far away from their destinations. Though the administration is taking measures to clear the roads, the incessant rains in the region is making it extremely difficult.
The River Beas in spate due to heavy monsoon rains, in Mandi | PTI
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the next 24 hours in the state.
The incessant downpour caused flash floods in Bagiput area of Mandi district near Prashar Lake. Also, a cloudburst took place around Baghi Bridge in Mandi on Monday.
Landslides occurred at many places between Charmile to Satmile on the Pandoh-Mandi National Highway.
Flash flood alerts have been issued by the administration for Sirmaur, Solan, Shimla, Kullu and Kangra.
NDRF personnel conduct a search operation for a woman missing after flash flood, at Baggi Nala in Mandi | PTI
The state tourism department has issued an advisory to tourists to venture out safely while travelling.
People have been asked to take all the necessary precautions. "Commuters and general public are advised to avoid visiting riversides and areas prone to landslides," said the advisory issued by the assistant inspector general of police (traffic, tourism and railways).
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation chairman R.S Bali in a statement advised tourists to always keep the GPS location of their mobile phones on, to commute on the guided routes only and figure out weather updates and drive slow.
Alert was issued in regions including Upper Shimla, Kinnaur, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba districts.
IMD predicts heavy rains in various states
The Met department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls in isolated parts of Maharashtra.
Rain lashes parts of Dibrugarh, Assam. As per IMD, partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers likely to occur in Dibrugarh.
Delhi too received heavy rainfall on Tuesday morning. However, the heavy rainfall has paved way for the prices of tomatoes to rise in the national capital.
"Tomato is being sold at a price of Rs 80 Kg. The rate has suddenly shot up in the past two-three days. This sudden increase in price is due to heavy rainfall. Rain has destroyed tomatoes," says Mohammad Raju, a resident of Delhi, told ANI.
As per IMD, very heavy rainfall is likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Mahe, Madhya Pradesh, Vidharbha, Konkon and Goa, Gujarat, Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra and East Rajasthan.
(With agency inputs)
