Rain-triggered landslides disrupt traffic; IMD warns of flash floods

Red alert for heavy rain was issued for June 29; an orange alert sounded for various districts for today

- Dar Ovais

DHARAMSHALA: Heavy rainfall lashed the parts of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, triggering landslides and traffic disruptions at various places.

Three fatalities due to rain-related incidents were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll since the onset of monsoon in the state to 20. One person each drowned in Una and Bilaspur districts, while another died after falling from a height in Shimla district, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

The water level in rivers and khads also increased at various locations. The heavy showers prompted the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Shimla office to sound a red alert in Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur on Sunday.

As many as 129 roads remained blocked on Sunday, as per the state emergency operation centre. After an early morning landslide on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway-5 traffic came to a standstill near Chakki Mor. The vehicular movement was later restored.

The disruption had caused a traffic jam on both sides of the road, with commuters left waiting for the road to reopen. Landslides were reported at various parts of Shimla. A landslide also blocked the Bhattakufar-Chamyana road.