Two killed in torrential rains in HP

Two people were killed today as heavy rains pounded several parts of Himachal Pradesh, washing away a bridge in tribal Kinnaur district and prompting authorities to close schools in Shimla, Kangra and Solan, officials said.

Several roads across Himachal Pradesh have been closed as heavy rains have triggered landslides in some areas.

According to the reports received, one person was killed in Kangra sub-division and another in Fatehpur tehsil of Kangra district, they said.

As many as 16 Public Works Department (PWD) roads have been damaged in Kangra's Jaisingpur tehsil alone and 39 houses and seven irrigation and public health (IPH) schemes were also damaged in the tehsil, they added.

District officials said Rispa bridge in Kinnaur was washed away due to heavy rains. The district administration is trying to restore movement by setting up a span bridge.

Four small canals (kulahs), used for irrigation, were also damaged.

National Highway 5 and four link roads, including Tranda road, Sangla road, road from Charua to Chotta Khamba and that from Tapri to Jani, have been blocked due to landslides, he said.

In view of the alarming situation of the silt in the reservoir after heavy rain caused huge inflow in Beas River, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) authorities are releasing water from Pandoh Dam in Mandhi district since 9 am, an official said.

A warning has been issued for tourists and people residing in low-lying areas not to go near the Beas River as water is being released from the Pandoh Dam.

BBMB authorities have informed the district administration that the outflow would increase gradually and the release of water from the dam would continue till 3 pm tomorrow, he said, adding tourists and the people residing in low-lying areas have been warned not to go near the river.

The district administration is keeping a close watch on the situation, he added.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar said residents can call 1077 in case of an emergency.

The MeT department has warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue till tomorrow.

As per data provided by the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, 239 mm rain was recorded in Paonta Sahib followed by 238 mm in Sujanpur Tihra,.

Other places which received rains include Nehri in Mandi district (235 mm), Palampur (212 mm), Shimla (172.6 mm), Kangra airport (167.9 mm), Sundernagar (151.4 mm), Dharamshala (142.8 mm), Jubbarhatti (146.2 mm), Jwali in Kangra district (136 mm), Kasauli (134 mm), Bharwain in Una district (119 mm), Solan (110 mm), Chamba (78 mm), Dalhousie (72 mm) till 8.30 am.

The Sangla-Karcham road has been blocked due to landslides at Ruturang in Kinnaur district, a district official said, adding that boulders are still falling due to which the road may not be cleared by tomorrow.

In Shimla, a vehicle was damaged due to landslide at Phase-3, Kangnadhaar.

Similarly in Kangra district Darohgarh-Jamulla road, Shaman-Thural road, Duhak-Garthoon road, Gawal Till Stadium road and Thural-Challah roads have been closed due to landslides, an official said.

Besides the road has also been blocked at Panjpula in Chamba district following landslides.