Heavy rain lashes Shimla; IMD warns of more downpours across Himachal till August 12
Shimla, August 6
Heavy rainfall lashed Shimla and several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, disrupting normal life in the hill town as the India Meteorological Department forecast continued wet weather with heavy rain at isolated places across the state over the next several days.
Residents in Shimla said the persistent showers affected daily activities, making commuting difficult and slowing business operations. Rainfall intensified after intermittent spells during the day, leaving roads slippery and reducing visibility.
Speaking to ANI, local resident Ram Pal Sharma said the prolonged rain had made it difficult for people to carry out their daily work.
"It looked cloudy since morning, and then the rain started suddenly. It rained heavily for nearly one-and-a-half hours. In such heavy rain, it becomes difficult to move around or do any work. Though the rainfall is not as severe as what we witnessed two or three years ago, continuous showers still affect business and daily life," Sharma said.
Sharma, who said he has been working in Shimla for the past 57 years, added that rainfall patterns have changed over time.
"I have been here for 57 years. In recent years, it feels like rainfall has reduced compared to the past. We hope the weather improves soon so normal business can resume. Continuous rain delays opening shops and affects everyday activities," he said.
He also expressed concern over the risks posed by landslides during the monsoon, recalling that rockfalls on roads have caused accidents and posed dangers to commuters.
According to the IMD's Meteorological Centre in Shimla, light to moderate rain occurred at many places across Himachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours, with heavy rainfall reported at isolated locations. The department has forecast light to moderate rain at most places across the state, with heavy rain likely at isolated places from August 6 to August 12.
For Thursday, the IMD has warned of heavy rain at isolated places in Bilaspur, Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur districts, while moderate to heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Shimla district.
The weather office has cautioned that heavy rainfall may trigger localised landslides, mudslides, flash floods, waterlogging, rising water levels in rivers and streams, and traffic disruptions due to slippery roads and poor visibility. People have been advised to avoid vulnerable areas, stay away from rivers and streams, and follow weather advisories issued by the authorities.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who visited Shimla last year during monsoon, I can totally understand the challenges. It's beautiful but the constant rain does disrupt things. Hope the residents stay safe and the IMD warnings help people prepare better!
Ram Pal ji ka experience toh bahut valuable hai. 57 saalon se Shimla mein kaam kar rahe hain, unki baat mein weight hai. Rain patterns definitely changing - climate change is real. But what about the tourists who get stuck? Authorities should have better contingency plans. 😕
Good that IMD is giving advance warnings. But honestly, these advisories mean nothing unless the local civic bodies act on them. Need to ensure proper drainage systems and road maintenance before monsoon hits, not after the damage is done. #ShimlaWeather
My grandparents live in Shimla and they say the same thing - rainfall has become unpredictable. One minute it's sunny, next minute it's pouring. The landslide risk is a constant worry. Stay safe everyone! 🙏
While I appreciate the IMD's efforts, I feel they could improve their localized predictions. Every year we hear these blanket warnings but the actual impact varies greatly by area. Still, better safe than sorry - people should take the advisory seriously, especially regarding rivers and streams.
K We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.