Heavy rains in Himachal, schools closed

Heavy rains lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh overnight prompting authorities to close schools in several districts including Shimla, Kangra and Solan, officials said.

Several roads have been closed as heavy rains have triggered landslides in some areas.  Heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue till tomorrow, the Met Centre warned while stating that it would decrease after that.

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As per data provided by the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, 239 mm rain was recorded in Paonta Sahib followed by 238 mm in Sujanpur Tihra.

Other places which received rains include Nehri in Mandi district (235 mm), Palampur (212 mm), Shimla (172.6 mm), Kangra airport (167.9 mm), Sundernagar (151.4 mm), Dharamshala (142.8 mm), Jubbarhatti (146.2 mm), Jwali in Kangra district (136 mm), Kasauli (134 mm), Bharwain in Una district (119 mm), Solan (110 mm), Chamba (78 mm), Dalhousie (72 mm) till 8.30 am.

The Sangla-Karcham road has been blocked due to landslides at Ruturang in Kinnaur district, a district official said, adding that boulders are still falling due to which the road may not be cleared by tomorrow.

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In Shimla, a vehicle was damaged due to landslide at Phase-3, Kangnadhaar.  Similarly in Kangra district Nagni-Gharana, Purba-Naura, Dheera-Kahanfat, Naura-Kayarwan, Thural-Bhatti, Darohgarh-Jamulla road, Shaman-Thural road, Duhak-Garthoon road, Gawal Till Stadium road and Thural-Challah roads have been closed due to landslides, an official said.

Besides the road has also been blocked at Panjpula in Chamba district following landslides.