Red alert issued for five Himachal districts as IMD forecasts heavy rain till July 23

Shimla ,July 18

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an active monsoon spell across Himachal Pradesh from the midnight of July 18 to July 23, issuing a red alert for five districts on July 20 and 21 due to the likelihood of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.

According to the Meteorological Center, Shimla, Chamba, Sirmaur, Mandi and Kangra districts will remain under a red alert on July 20, while Chamba, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi and Kangra will be under a red alert on July 21. Orange and yellow alerts have also been issued for several other districts where heavy rainfall is expected.

Scientist Dr. Sandeep Kumar Sharma of the Meteorological Center, Shimla, said the state is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall between July 18 and 23, with the most intense spell expected from July 20 to 22.

He said isolated places in the mid-hill and adjoining regions could receive extremely heavy rainfall on July 20 and 21, increasing the risk of weather-related incidents.

The weather department has warned of possible landslides, cloudbursts and flash floods in vulnerable areas during the forecast period. Residents and tourists have been advised to stay away from rivers, streams and landslide-prone locations and to follow weather and traffic advisories issued by the authorities.