Heavy rains across the country has caused mayhem in several part of the states. With flash floods, waterlogging, and landslides, high alert has been sounded towards the North-West regions.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in Himachal Pradesh. Officials had asked the tourists and people to be on high-alert as flash floods inundated various parts of the state.
A team of SDRF had evacuated six people who were trapped in their homes due to the rise in the water level of the Beas River in the lower market of Pandoh.
In the wake of the heavy trains, Beas River overflowed hitting Mandi and Kullu regions. Even landslides in the area had affected the traffic movement with National Highway 3 from Mandi towards Kullu blocked. A portion of the Highway was washed away by was the river overflowed.
Due to heavy rains, the movement of vehicles from Kullu and Manali towards Atal Tunnel and Rohtang has been completely stopped. According to Kullu Police, falling of stones at various places along the Kullu-Manali road posed threat to travellers.
A flash flood and a landslide occurred im Gramphu village and Chota Dharra in the wee hours of Sunday, an official statement said.
"District Emergency Operation Center Lahaul Spiti informed an incident of Flash Flood and Landslide reported along the AEC BRO 94 RCC, NH 505 (Sumo Kaza-Gramphu) which is blocked at different locations between Gramphu to Chota Dharra," an official statement issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operations Centre (HPSEOC) informed.
IMD has issued flash flood and avalanche warning in the Lahul and Spiti district.
"Due to the continous and heavy rainfall in the district of Lahul and Spiti, there is a great possibility of flash flooding and avalanches," read an official statement by IMD.
Due to bad weather, Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, on Sunday and Monday, was suspended. The yatra route beyond Parvati Bag is damaged, therefore it had to be suspended, said Ashutosh Garg, Deputy Commissioner-Kullu.
Train services along the Shimla-Kalka rail was also affected with many trains cancelled in the wake of landslides. Chandigarh-Manali highway was also shut due to landslides.
The Himachal Pradesh Police on Saturday said that they had safely rescued 30 college students stranded on the national highway between Gramphu to Chota Dharra due to flash floods and landslides.
"A group of 30 college students travelling on Bhavna Travelers (2 Travelers' vehicle) from Spiti to Manali....were stuck on the road due to road blocking. All 30 students were rescued safely," said the statement by the police.
Similar situation prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir with two Indian Army personnel washed away in Poshana river in Poonch. A red alert has been issued in Kathua and Sambha districts in J&K.
According to PRO Defence, Jammu, rescue operations are underway to locate the personnels.
Meanwhile, Amarnath Yatra was temporarily suspended due to bad weather. Over 6,000 pilgrims were stranded at Ramban due to the suspension of the yatra.
Jammu Srinagar National Highway (NH44) still closed for vehicular traffic at Ramban due to landslide, said officials.
On Saturday, the IMD issued a red alert for seven districts of the state and an orange alert for three districts over the next 48 hours.
A road was blocked due to the falling of a tree in the Khera district near the Sidhartha factory on National Highway 105, connecting Manpura and Nalagarh, following incessant rains in the district.
Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles were stranded in Udhampur on Saturday after Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed on account of bad weather.
A road connecting Tunnel 3 and 5 in the Ramban district was damaged following a landslide.
Severe waterlogging was reported in parts of Zirakpur in Punjab due to incessant rains. IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in Punjab.
(With agency inputs)