Thaindian News

Shimla, Aug 6 (IANS) Rivers in Himachal Pradesh are in spate again following continuous moderate to heavy rainfall is several parts of the state, officials said Friday. A high alert has been sounded in Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur, Bilaspur and Shimla districts.
“Continuous rainfall (since Thursday) in Kinnaur and Shimla districts has abnormally increased the water level in the Satluj river and its tributaries,” Shimla Deputy Commissioner J.S. Rana told IANS.

“An alert has been sounded in the villages and towns along the river and people advised to move to safer places,” Shimla Deputy Commissioner J.S. Rana told IANS.

He said the discharge in the Satluj has increased to 2,300 cubic metres per second against the normal flow of 1,850 cubic metres.

Likewise, the water level of the Beas has also increased.

“The water level has increased in the Beas, owing to heavy rainfall in entire Kullu district last (Thursday) night, but the river is still flowing below danger mark,” Kullu Deputy Commissioner B.M. Nanta said.

He said the Satluj, which also passes through Kullu district, is in spate due to heavy rainfall.

The water level of the Beas has increased so much that at some places the river is touching the Chandigarh-Manali national highway.

Incessant rains have also caused massive landslides on National Highways 21 and 22 in Shimla, Kinnaur, Mandi and Kullu districts, hampering vehicular traffic.

Himachal Pradesh has been experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall since Thursday.

According to the Met office here, Shimla has got 34.8 mm of rain since Thursday, Dharamsala 34.4 mm and Mandi 75.9 mm.

The met department predicted light to moderate rain in the state Friday.