Heavy rains lash HP, 3 of a family die in landslides

Heavy rains today lashed several parts of HimachalPradesh causing flash floods and triggering landslides, killing three persons, damaging houses and blocking roads.
Three persons were killed and two others were injured when their car was buried in a landslide in Bilaspur district's Gabrola area, a state official said, adding that they belonged to the same family.
Relief and rescue teams recovered the bodies with the help of local people. The injured people have been hospitalised.
The deceased are yet to be identified. The SDM, Harish Ganjoo, and the Bilaspur SP, Anjum Ara, are supervising the relief and rescue operations, the official said.

Heavy rains caused flash floods in Bagi Nallah in Mabdi district's Drang area, damaging three houses. No death has been reported from the area.
Landslides also blocked roads in the area, famous for the Parashar Lake. The Theog-Hatkoti National highway was also blocked by mudslides, stranding vehicles.

The official said landslides also occurred in Shimla town near the IGMC and the by-pass, disrupting traffic.
Heavy rains lashed parts of Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur and Shimla districts and Dharamshala recorded 69 mm rains, local MeT office said.
Arki received 67 mm rains, Paonta Sahib 64 mm, Guler 57 mm, Palampur 53 mm, Shimla 49 mm, Naina Devi 46 mm, Jubbar Hatti 44 mm , Rohru 41 mm, Baijnath 39, Mehre 38 mm, Manali 35 mm, Mashobra 34 mm, Renuka and Hamirpur 32 mm each.

The state has received 11 per cent less rains during the current monsoon season from June 1 to September 1.
The monsoon deficit is 68 per cent in Lahaul and Spiti, 48 per cent in Chamba, 40 per cent in Kinnaur, 17 per cent and 13 per cent in Solan district.
The state has received 628.9 mm rainfall against the normal of 707. 5 mm. Una district received 30 per cent excess rains; Kangra, Kullu and Mandi 13 per cent; Bilaspur 11 per cent while the excess was negligible at eight per cent and three per cent in Hamirpur and Shimla districts.

The local MeT office has predicted rains in the region over the next six days, and rains or snow at isolated places in higher hills.