Orange and Yellow Alerts Issued Amid Rains and Thunderstorms Across Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, May 19 — Authorities managing the Pandoh Dam in Mandi district have issued a strong caution to locals and tourists, urging them to stay away from the banks of the Beas River. The alert comes as rising water levels may force the opening of the dam's spill gates at any moment.Recent thunderstorms in Mandi district have led to localized damage, with heavy cloud cover reported over both Mandi and Shimla. Officials are closely monitoring the dam’s structural safety in light of the increasing water levels.
Meanwhile, in the Lahaul and Spiti district, flash floods triggered in the Udaipur sub-division have blocked the Sansari-Killar-Tindi-Thirot road. Local police have advised the public to refrain from traveling along this route, as ongoing rainfall continues to delay clearance operations.
Weather Warnings Issued Across Multiple Districts
The meteorological department has issued an orange warning for parts of the state, specifically Una and Shimla districts. These regions are expected to experience light to moderate rain, accompanied by lightning, hailstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 km/h.In addition, a yellow warning has been issued for isolated areas in Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur, Solan, and Sirmaur districts. These areas are likely to see light to moderate rain, lightning, and winds gusting at speeds between 30 and 40 km/h.
Light rain has also been forecast for Shimla and its adjoining regions, raising concerns of further travel disruptions and waterlogging.
Residents and tourists are advised to follow all safety advisories and stay updated with official weather bulletins.