Shimla, July 14: The four-lane Chandigarh-Manali highway has been closed again in Mandi. The mountain fell on the road at two places near Char Mile last night and this morning. Here stones are falling from the mountain repeatedly. Last evening also the road was restored after 26 hours near Char Mile. But it was closed again at night.
NHAI machinery is busy removing the debris. Stones have been falling from the hill near Char Mile for the last three days. This has badly affected the movement of vehicles. Tourists going towards Manali-Rohtang are also getting stuck in traffic jam.
At the same time, 191 roads across the state have been closed for many days. The Public Works Department is busy restoring these roads. But frequent rains are creating obstacles in this work.
Heavy rain warning in 2 districts
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in two districts, Kangra and Sirmaur today. There may be one or two spells of heavy rain in these districts. This may lead to waterlogging and flood-like conditions in low-lying areas. In view of this, people have been asked to be cautious.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert regarding rain in Mandi, Shimla and Solan districts today. A yellow alert has been issued for Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts tomorrow. A yellow alert has been issued for all districts except Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti on July 16. Rain is forecast in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu and Sirmaur districts on July 17.
98 died in monsoon season
So far 98 people have lost their lives in Himachal this monsoon season. Of these 24 people have lost their lives due to floods, cloudbursts and landslides, while 9 have died due to drowning, 1 due to fire, 4 due to snake bites, 4 due to electric shock, 10 due to falling from a cliff or a height and 5 due to other reasons. 41 people have lost their lives in road accidents. Whereas, 34 people are missing for several days. Search operation is on to find them. Private and government property worth Rs 770 crore has been destroyed so far due to heavy rains.