Dharamshala: Unprecedented downpour in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala triggered flash floods in the Bhagsu Nag area of Mcleodganj on Monday. With the onset of the monsoon, Torrential rains in Kangra district have led to a flood-like situation. A video of the same has gone viral on social media, in which several vehicles, houses and hotels can be seen damaged amid heavy flooding.
The rain has also led to the traffic come to a standstill on the National Highway in Shimla. The heavy rainfall also caused the Manjhi River to swell and overflow. Amid strong water flow in Dharamsala's Chetru village, many houses also got submerged. However, no loss of lives has been reported as of yet. According to officials, the flash floods led to the washing away of parked cars, leaving houses partially damaged. The impact of the gushing waters also damaged three houses and five shops located in the Gaggal area.
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Deputy Commissioner Kangra Deputy Nipun Jindal has informed that there is no confirmation of cloudburst yet and relief teams have swung into action for rescue efforts. As rainwater is entering the residential areas, Jindal also appealed to local residents to take refuge at safe shelters. Meanwhile, the onset of the monsoon season has brought relief for farmers as they are hopeful that the rains will help in increasing apple and maize production.
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Dharamsala, which is 250 km away from the state capital, recorded a heavy rainfall of 119 mm, the highest ever in this monsoon. Manmohan Singh, Director of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) told media agencies that heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was recorded at many places in Kangra district of the state, with Palampur having recorded the highest with 155 mm rain, while it was 48 mm in Dalhousie, 10 mm in the state capital and 55 mm in the picturesque tourist resort of Manali.
The weather bureau has also forecast heavy rains at isolated places in the state till Wednesday. The southwest monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 13, which is the earliest in the past 21 years. Usually, the monsoon arrives in the state by June 26.
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