Restoration of essential services gathered pace across Himachal Pradesh on Thursday following recent monsoon-related disruptions, with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reporting a significant reduction in blocked roads, power outages and water supply interruptions. The improvement came even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast another active spell of rainfall across the state beginning July 18.
According to the SEOC’s evening report, 50 roads remained blocked across Himachal Pradesh, down from 51 in the morning and 53 on July 15. All National Highways in the state are currently open to traffic.
Power restoration showed the most notable improvement during the day, with the number of disrupted Distribution Transformer Regions (DTRs) falling to four from 75 in the morning and 158 on Wednesday. All five disrupted water supply schemes were also restored, bringing the number of affected schemes to zero.
Kullu district continued to report the highest number of road closures, with 28 roads blocked, followed by Mandi (14), Kangra (4), Shimla (2), Una (2) and Sirmaur (1). The remaining four power disruptions are confined to the Banjar subdivision of Kullu district.
Road blockages in Kullu are spread across the Nirmand, Banjar, Kullu and Manali subdivisions, while those in Mandi are concentrated in Thalout, Seraj, Karsog and Sundernagar. Kangra’s affected roads are located in Shahpur subdivision, Shimla’s in Rampur and Sirmaur’s in Nahan.
Seasonal monsoon data for Sirmaur district also reflected steady progress in restoration efforts. Of the 128 roads affected since the onset of the monsoon, 79 have been reopened, while restoration work on the remaining roads is being carried out by the Public Works Department and National Highways authorities.
Of the 373 damaged electricity transformers in the district, 287 have been restored, with repair work continuing on the remaining 86 by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL).
The district has recorded 53 landslides during the monsoon season, of which 52 have been cleared, while one remains active. Of the three flash flood incidents reported, two have been resolved. Drinking water supply has also improved, with 26 of the 27 affected water supply schemes restored.
Meanwhile, the IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Shimla has forecast an active monsoon spell over the state from July 18. It has predicted light to moderate rainfall across most parts of Himachal Pradesh from July 18, with isolated heavy rainfall on July 18 and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places between July 19 and July 22.
The weather department said most districts are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall during the period, while Kinnaur and parts of Una, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Kangra may receive below-normal rainfall. Rainfall activity is expected to weaken during July 24-30, with below-normal rainfall likely across most parts of the state. The IMD’s extended outlook also indicates below-normal to near-normal rainfall during the first half of August.
(With ANI inputs)
