Dharamshala, 12th July: When a flash flood precipitated by overnight torrential rain stormed through Bhasunag hamlet near McLeodganj town of Dharamshala early on Monday, it carried away more than ten cars, the majority of which belonged to visitors. While the majority of the automobiles belonged to tourists, floodwater invaded houses and shops in Dharamshala’s Bagli neighborhood, which received 184mm of rain overnight.
“There has been a major flash flood,” said Kangra senior superintendent of police Vimukt Ranjan, who was on the scene to examine the situation. Many tourist cars were parked on the roadside at Bhagsunag and were damaged.” The floodwaters made their way into homes and businesses. “Fortunately, no casualties have been reported thus far,” he said, adding that police were on high alert.
Apart from Kullu, all rivers and rivulets in Dharamshala and Palampur were inflow as rain lashed the region since last night. Three houses and some shops in the Bagli area near Dharamshala were damaged by the Manjhi rivulet, which was flowing dangerously close to settlements.
Other portions of Himachal Pradesh had moderate to heavy rains as well. Rain falls moderately in Manali and Dalhousie. Dharamshala had the most rainfall in the state, with 184mm, followed by Palampur with 155mm, Kangra with 64.9mm, Manali with 55mm, Bhunter with 53.4mm, Dalhousie with 48mm, Kufri with 38.5mm, Paonta Sahib with 30mm, and Nahan with 19mm.
For Monday and Tuesday, the meteorological department has issued an orange weather warning for heavy to very heavy rain in the middle and lower slopes. A yellow weather warning is in effect for the 14th and 15th of July. Fresh snowfall is possible in the higher elevations. Manmohan Singh, director of the Shimla weather office, warned that the constant rain could cause landslides and tree uprooting. People, particularly visitors, have been advised not to approach riverbanks since the water level may rise in a short period of time.
Image Source: Hindustan Times
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