Downpour in Himachal Pradesh: Roads, houses damaged as heavy rain lashes multiple areas

Shimla: Moderate to heavy rains occurred in several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday as monsoon remained active over the state. Three vehicles, including three tractors, were washed away and several roads and huts were damaged , officials said. [caption id=“attachment_3882913” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] The local IMD office has warned of heavy rains in mid and lower hills over the next three days and predicted wet spell in the region up to 14 August. The Public Works Department (PWD) opened 148 roads, while 132 roads still remained closed. Some of the roads in interior areas remain closed for more than one week. In Kangra district, which is experiencing heavy rains for past three weeks, 58 roads are closed due to landslide, while 41 roads are closed in Shimla and 32 in Mandi. The minimum temperatures increased marginally and Manali was recorded the coldest place in the region with a low of 15 degrees Celsius followed by Kalpa (15.4), Keylong (16), dharamshala and Shimla (both 17), Mandi (18.2), Nahan (20.3), Palampur (21), Solan and Bhuntar (both 21.4), Sundernagar (23.1) and Una (25). They said there was no significant change in maximum temperatures and Bhuntar was recorded he hottest place with a high of 32.4 degree Celsius followed by Sundernagar (31.4), Una (30.6), Nahan (27.8), Dharamshala (27.2), Solan (26.4) , Manali and Kalpa (both 23.6) and Shimla (22.4).