Heavy Rainfall and Storms Cause Widespread Damage
A powerful thunderstorm swept through multiple regions of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday night, leaving a trail of destruction visible by Thursday morning. Trees were uprooted, crops were damaged, and several roads were blocked due to fallen debris. While no human casualties have been reported so far, the impact on the agriculture and horticulture sectors has been severe.
IMD Predicts Continued Rainfall
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rain and thunderstorms in the coming days. According to their report, a strong Western Disturbance is expected to influence Himachal Pradesh between April 18 and April 21, bringing light to moderate showers across the state and heavy rainfall in higher altitudes.
Infrastructure and Traffic Affected
Among the most affected areas was the road linking Richmond to Jakhoo, which became completely impassable due to fallen trees. Responding quickly, the Forest Department sent teams of workers to clear the blockages and restore access.
“We began clearing roads early in the morning, especially near the US Club and Richmond,” said Mohammad Usuf, a worker involved in the cleanup operation. “The storm hit around 11:50 PM and brought down several trees.”
Municipal Corporation Responds
Online videos showed blocked roads and fallen trees in several locations. Binod, an employee of the Municipal Corporation, confirmed that vehicle movement was still restricted due to the storm’s aftermath.
“A tree has fallen here, blocking traffic. The storm was intense last night,” he told ANI.
IMD Issues Orange and Yellow Alerts
In light of the weather situation, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Shimla, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi districts from April 18 to 20. A yellow alert has also been declared for Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti.
Residents are advised to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow local weather updates closely.
