Urgent: ‘Red’ Alert for Himachal Pradesh Weather Today-School Closures Ordered by CM Sukhvinder Singh in Four Districts!
Schools in the Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh will remain closed on June 30 due to a “red” alert issued by the Meteorological Department for heavy to very heavy rainfall. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh announced this decision after consulting with the deputy commissioners of the affected areas to prioritize student safety. Notably, out of the 12 districts in the state, 10, including Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Shimla, Una, Kullu, and Chamba, are under the same warning.
According to an updated notification from the Met office, heavy to very heavy rains are expected in several areas, particularly in Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur, with isolated showers anticipated in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Shimla, as well as potential rain in Kullu and Chamba until Monday evening. This forecast raises concerns over waterlogging, landslides, and damage to infrastructure, which could disrupt traffic and essential services.
In Mandi district, all government and private educational institutions, with the exception of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and medical colleges like the Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital, have been officially closed, as confirmed by Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan. Similarly, Kangra District Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa mandated a holiday for all educational institutions in his district, barring residential facilities.
The severe weather resulted in significant disruptions, including the temporary suspension of services on the Shimla-Kalka rail line, as officials worked to clear debris such as fallen trees. Tragically, the recent rains have claimed three lives, bringing the total fatalities in the state since the onset of monsoon to 20. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) reported drowning incidents in both Una and Bilaspur, while a fatality in Shimla was attributed to an accident at height.
In terms of infrastructural damage, the heavy downpour has closed 129 roads across the state and affected 612 transformers. The most significant roadblocks occurred in Sirmaur and Mandi districts, with 57 and 44 roads respectively rendered impassable. Rainfall figures highlight the intensity of the storms, with Jogindernagar recording 135 mm, Kasauli at 125 mm, and several other areas, including Poanta Sahib and Sundernagar, also seeing substantial rainfall.
As the monsoon intensifies, residents are urged to exercise caution. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to respond to any further emergencies. The forecast indicates that heavy rainfall will continue to impact daily life across these regions in the coming days, making it essential for community members to stay informed and prepared.
In summary, the Himachal Pradesh government is taking proactive steps to ensure safety amid the ongoing severe weather, with school closures and emergency responses being prioritized as heavy rains pose a significant threat to the region’s safety and infrastructure.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/himachal-pradesh-weather-today-red-alert-issued-cm-sukhvinder-singh-orders-school-closure-in-four-districts-11751250133765.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-30 08:58:00
