As many as 262 people have lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh due to natural calamities and road accidents since the beginning of the year, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi revealed on Saturday.
Providing an update on the state’s disaster situation, the minister said that the month of April alone has witnessed 38 fatalities. He added that the impact of the adverse weather conditions continues to be significant, with 43 roads—including two national highways—remaining closed for vehicular movement. Additionally, 220 power transformers and 30 water supply schemes have been disrupted across the state.
Parts of Himachal Pradesh received light rainfall on Saturday, while higher altitudes in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti experienced fresh snowfall. Hansa in Lahaul and Spiti recorded 5 cm of snow. Thunderstorms and hailstorms were reported from multiple locations including Shimla, Kalpa, Bhuntar, Kangra, Jot, and Palampur.
The local Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Sunday across all 12 districts, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds blowing at speeds of 30-40 kmph. An orange alert has also been issued for Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla, predicting heavy rain, hail, and thunderstorms.
The Lahaul and Spiti police have warned of a possible sudden rise in the water levels of rivers and drains due to continuous rains, advising residents and tourists to stay away from water sources.
Among the wettest regions in the state, Tissa in Chamba recorded the highest rainfall at 19.3 mm. Other locations that received significant rain include Kukumseri, Bhuntar, Seobagh, Keylong, Brahmani, Olinda, Manali, Kalpa, Murari Devi, Jot, and Sundernagar.
According to the MeT office, a wet spell is expected to continue across the state until April 22. The temperature extremes recorded during this period saw Keylong being the coldest at 1°C, while Una was the hottest, touching 36.8°C.
The state has experienced a 39% rainfall deficit this pre-monsoon season, with only 96.4 mm of rainfall received between March 1 and April 19, compared to the normal of 156.8 mm.
As the weather continues to fluctuate, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and follow safety advisories to prevent further tragedies.
Sources By Agencies
