HP: Heavy rains trigger flash floods, landslides; educational institutions closed in Kangra

Heavy rains in several areas of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday triggered flash floods and landslides, disrupted road traffic and prompted the Kangra district administration to order closure of schools, officials said.

Six people stranded near Palampur following flash floods were rescued, while several roads in Kangra, Kullu and Chamba districts were blocked due to landslides, they said.

Vehicular traffic on the Rohtang-Manali road was blocked after the water level in a nullah in Kullu district rose instantly, Kullu Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Singh said.

Several vehicles are stranded due to the roadblock but no loss of life or property has been reported, he added.

In Kangra district, red flags were installed near all khads and tributaries to warn people against venturing near them as heavy rains led to a rise in water levels.

All educational institutions in Kangra district have been asked to remain closed on Saturday due to incessant rainfall, a district official said.

Kangra deputy commissioner cum district magistrate Rakesh Kumar Prajapati issued the direction on Saturday morning following heavy rain in most parts of the district since Friday evening.

"Keeping in view the ongoing heavy rains and extreme climatic conditions across the district, I hereby declare holiday for schools and educational institutions for today (Saturday)," Prajapati said.

On Friday, the meteorological department had issued an 'orange warning' for heavy rain across the state and a 'red warning' for extremely heavy rain in several districts including Kangra on Saturday and Sunday