New Delhi:
Life was disrupted after heavy rainfall and flash floods hit the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. As many as 19 people were rescued in the incident. Incessant rains have caused massive landslides on national highways in Shimla, Kinnaur and Mandi hampering vehicular traffic. Schools will remain closed in eight districts in the state on Monday. The Chandigarh-Manali have been blocked since Sunday.
The water level of the Beas river also rose abnormally touching the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway 21 in the Mandi district. As the road submerged in water, the highway remained closed even as hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road.
ALSO READ | PM Modi inaugurates Sikkim's first airport, here are 10 things to know
The highway that connects Manali with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir has also been closed for traffic owing to heavy snow, officials said. “The traffic between Manali and Leh has been closed since Saturday,” an official of the 38 task force of the General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) told news agency IANS.
“We are trying to evacuate & rehabilitate people. I request people not to go to high reach areas and near rivers,” said Kullu Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan said on Monday.
Kullu: Normal life disrupted following heavy rainfall and flash flood in the region. Kullu Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan says, 'we are trying to evacuate & rehabilitate people. I request people not to go to high reach areas and near rivers.' #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/zQEkvl1ujJ
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2018
“There are chances of heavy rainfall at some places in the state till Monday, and thereafter, the intensity of rains will start receding,” said an official of the local meteorological department.
READ MORE | Gate 2019: Online registration date extended; Know eligibility criteria and how to apply
The chief minister has directed to ensure that roads are cleared of landslides at the earliest and that strict vigils are kept on the rising water level of the Chamera and Pandoh dams so authorities can issue early warnings.
