Shimla, Jul 2 (PTI) Daily lives were upended as sharp showers lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh, with five rain- deaths reported across the state in the 24 hours till Thursday evening, officials said.

Three persons were killed in separate rain- accidents in Shimla and Chamba districts, while one death was reported in Mandi district, according to State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) data.

A bus conductor named Gyan Chand, a resident of Mandi district, was killed in Udaipur area of Lahaul and Spiti district after falling stones from a hillside hit him.

Around 30 pilgrims were stranded near a temple in Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district as flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall washed away a temporary wooden bridge, cutting off access to the temple, officials said.

A joint search and rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local administration, a mountaineering institute and the Public Works Department (PWD), was launched after information was received about the incident.

“The temporary wooden bridge to the temple has collapsed. The rescue team has reached the site and essential supplies have been sent to the stranded pilgrims,” Bharmour Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vikas Sharma told mediapersons.

Incessant rainfall has caused the Cherang Khad — a stream at Rispa in Kinnaur district — to surge, washing away the only road to Rispa village, cutting it off completely.

According to locals, the current in Cherang Khad is so strong, it has completely washed away the temporary road to the hamlet. An iron bridge over Cherang Khad was swept away during severe floods last year and the administration had constructed a temporary road for movement, but it failed to withstand the first spell of monsoon rain.

Another wooden bridge was washed away in a flash flood triggered by a surge of water in Surcho Khad in Bhaba valley of the district.

A total of 49 roads were closed to vehicular traffic across the state, officials said on Thursday. The Chamba-Bharmaur road was also closed due to landslide.

According to the SEOC, 30 roads were closed in Kullu, eight in Sirmaur, seven in Chamba, and two each in Lahaul-Spiti and Una districts.

A total of 42 electricity transformers and 27 water supply projects were also affected due to torrential rain, the SEOC said.

A critically-ill woman woman named Shanti Devi, suffering from severe chest infection and breathing difficulties, was safely transported across the swollen Jahalma nallah in Lahaul-Spiti district by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Wednesday, officials said.

District administrations of Mandi, Kullu and Kinnaur have urged locals and tourists to avoid venturing near swollen rivers, streams and landslide-prone hilly areas. Additionally, travellers have been advised to obtain the latest inputs regarding weather and road conditions before setting out.

The Shimla Meteorological Centre has issued an “orange alert” for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places across the state from July 2 to 5, except for July 3.

In the 24 hours ending Thursday evening, Poanta Sahib recorded 100.4 mm rainfall, followed by Kasauli (86 mm), Dharampur (83.4 mm), Jatton Barrage (77 mm), Dhaulakuan (76 mm), Pachhad (60 mm), Rampur (53 mm), Una (50.4 mm), Nahan (38.3 mm), Palampur (37.8 mm) and Dharamshala (36.1 mm).

Kangra, Jubberhatti and Bhuntar also witnessed thunderstorms.

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Shimla, has deployed a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team to deal with emergency situations during monsoon.

The NDRF contingent, comprising around 30 personnel, has been stationed at the APMC complex in Dhalli till September 30.

Rain- incidents claimed four lives in the state on Wednesday, officials said.

Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti was the coldest in the state on Thursday, recording a minimum of 9.4 degrees Celsius, while Una was hottest, logging a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius.

According to India Meteorological Department’s colour-coded weather warning system, a “yellow alert” indicates worsening weather, and advises citizens to stay updated on the developing condition.

It upgrades to an “orange alert” when severe weather is imminent, and cautions citizens of significant disruptions to transport and power, among others.

The highest level, a “red alert”, demands immediate action as extremely severe weather conditions pose a direct threat to life and property, and may require evacuations. PTI

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