IMD issues orange alert for Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi districts in Himachal Pradesh, forecasts heavy to very heavy rains

The IMD has urged residents to remain vigilant during this period and avoid travelling near landslide-prone areas. Representational pic

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has once again issued an orange alert for Himachal Pradesh, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain over the next three days, from Tuesday to the late hours of Thursday, reported ANI.

According to the latest IMD inputs, the orange alert has been issued for Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts for Tuesday, while on Wednesday, the warning will apply to Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts. On Tuesday, a yellow alert was issued for Shimla and Solan districts, indicating heavy rainfall.

Senior IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma, speaking to ANI, said that rain and weather activities will continue in the region for the next three days.

"The monsoon has remained active, and water levels in rivers and streams have risen significantly. Over the next three days, an advisory has been issued asking people not to venture near local streams or major rivers. Visibility conditions in Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts will remain very low," he said.

Sharma stated that during the past 24 hours, light to moderate rain was recorded across the state, with isolated places in Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur districts experiencing heavy downpours, reported ANI.

"Kangra district recorded the highest rainfall at 180 mm, while Guler in Kangra registered 161 mm," he noted. "A few places in Hamirpur also received heavy rain," he added.

The IMD forecast indicates rain will continue across the state till Friday, with particularly intense rainfall expected from the late hours of Wednesday to the night of Thursday.

A yellow alert will remain in place for Mandi, Bilaspur, Shimla, and Sirmaur on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, the state is likely to receive rainfall in isolated areas, followed by dry conditions on Saturday and Sunday. However, Sharma warned that weather activity is likely to pick up again from next week.

The rainfall statistics for August so far show 32 per cent above-normal precipitation for the state overall, reported ANI. Notably, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Shimla districts have recorded around 80 per cent more rainfall than the seasonal average, while Lahaul-Spiti has received below-normal rainfall.

Since the start of the monsoon season, the state has recorded 13 per cent above-normal rainfall, with Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti being the exceptions, recording less than the seasonal norm.

IMD has urged residents to remain vigilant during this period, by avoiding travel near landslide-prone areas, and staying away from swollen rivers and streams.

(Inputs from ANI)