• IMD issues red and orange alerts in Himachal for the next 24 hours

    National
    IMD issues red and orange alerts in Himachal for the next 24 hours

    India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued "red" and "orange" alerts for several districts of the hill state for the next...


    Digital Desk: There looks to be no immediate respite in the offing for Himachal Pradesh, which has been hit by rains over the past several days, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued "red" and "orange" alerts for several districts of the hill state for the next 24 hours on Tuesday.


    "A red alert has been issued for very heavy rainfall in Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur, and Lahaul for the next 24 hours. In addition, an orange alert has been issued in Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Chamba. "For the next 24 hours, a flash flood warning has been issued for Mandi, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti," said senior IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma on Monday.


    Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur said on Monday that the state had recorded excessive rainfall in recent days and that he was concerned about the loss of life and damage to public infrastructure.


    Thakur, who is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Assembly, stated that Himachal Pradesh had "not seen such rainfall in its history" and that over 12 key bridges had been damaged.


    "We have never seen anything like this in recent years. I am deeply concerned about the current condition of events in the state. Several big and minor rivers are in flood, and if the scenario continues for the next few days, there could be additional damage," he stated.


    Rains have caused chaos in Himachal Pradesh, causing landslides, power cuts, blocked roads, and bridge damage. Nature's wrath has claimed 20 lives in the state in just 48 hours.


    Tourists were stranded in parts of the hill state, with infrastructural damage estimated to cost between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 crore.


    Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated on Monday that the state has not had such high rainfall in the last 50 years.


    On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Himachal CM about the current situation, assuring him of the Centre's complete assistance.