The IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy rains in 7 districts for the next 72 hours

ANI |
Updated: July 15, 2023 19:17 IST

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) (India), July 15 (ANI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued an orange alert from July 15 to July 17, forecasting heavy rainfall in seven districts in Himachal Pradesh for the next 72 hours.
IMD Shimla director Surender Paul said heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the next four to five days in seven districts of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur districts of the state.
Speaking to ANI, Surender Paul said, “It has rained in most parts of Himachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours. Kangra has recorded the highest rainfall of 131 mm at Dharamshala. Besides this, Mandi has also received rain. It has rained everywhere in Himachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours. Next three An orange alert has been issued in the state for the day.”
“The effect of this warning will be seen in Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur. Heavy to very heavy rains are very likely in the next 4 to 5 days. Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur higher areas, there will be light rain,” he said. added
He said that it will rain less than the previous week.
“The state will not get as much rain as was recorded in the last few days compared to the last seven days, but it will rain in most areas. Moderate rains may cause landslides and flash floods. Visibility will also be poor in Kangra, Mandi, Kullu and Hamirpur districts,” he said.
Earlier, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Friday set up ‘Apda Kosh-2023’, a disaster fund to provide relief to people who suffered heavy losses in the recent monsoon ravages in the state.
The Himachal Chief Minister announced the Disaster Fund (Apda Kosh-2023) on Twitter, urging his followers to donate generously to the fund to help people who have suffered untold losses in the rains.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday approved the advance release of the second installment of the central portion of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) of Rs 180.40 crore as interim relief to Himachal Pradesh, which has been hit relentlessly. Heavy rains have caused landslides and flash floods.
“To assist the affected people, the Central Government has already released the first installment of Rs 180.40 crore from SDRF to Himachal Pradesh on July 10, 2023 for relief measures of an immediate nature,” MHA said in a statement. (ANI)