Heavy rainfall lashes Shimla; IMD issues yellow alert for next 2 days

Shimla: Shimla is experiencing heavy rainfall and is currently engulfed in fog. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the following two consecutive days. The incessant rainfall has resulted in significant disruptions in the city which has affected on day to day basis lifetime of the residents. The rain severely affected the districts of Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur. Shimla has recorded a maximum temperature of 24.2 degree celsius and never lower than sixteen.2 degree celsius, with four mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours.

Authorities have urged residents and visitors to take necessary precautions and stay updated with weather advisories. According to the State Disaster Management Authority’s data, about Seventy one roads, including one dual carriageway are closed and 469 electricity supply schemes have been disrupted due to the heavy rainfall in the city.

A resident, Kundan Singh highlighted the struggles persons are facing amidst the heavy rainfall.  “It’s been raining continuously. We're facing problems; the heavy downpour has disrupted normal life. Here on Mall Road, there’s no work due to the rain. Tourists are also no longer arriving, and persons are having difficulty commuting. We still have a couple of more days of rain, and we hope it ends soon,” he told ANI.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department has forecasted light to moderate rainfall, along with thunderstorms and lightning across Himachal Pradesh. It also stated that these conditions may result in low visibility, disrupt traffic, and result in waterlogging in low-lying areas. While for Shimla, the IMD stated, “Light to moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning is most almost definitely to continue with low visibility conditions. It is miles at risk of result in traffic disruption, water logging in low-lying areas, slippery & wet roads, low visibility, and minor damage to vulnerable structures.”

The opposite resident, Abdul added that “It’s been raining since morning, and students had trouble attending to faculty. Local residents are facing problems, and tourists don't seem to be arriving due to the rain, which means there’s no work for us. The weather department has forecasted rain for 3 more days.”

Light to Moderate rainfall is expected in the regions of Kangra, Chamba, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, Una and Kullu.

(With ANI Inputs)