Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): Heavy monsoon showers continued to impact normal life across Himachal Pradesh on Friday, forcing authorities to shut schools in parts of Sirmaur district while cautioning residents about the possibility of landslides, flash floods and road disruptions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has maintained a Yellow Alert for five districts, warning of heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
The district administration ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the Sangrah and Pachhad subdivisions after continuous rainfall affected road connectivity and increased the risk of landslides. Officials clarified that the closure applies only to students, while teachers and other staff members are required to attend duty unless separate instructions are issued.
Several areas in Kala-Amb witnessed waterlogging after intense overnight rain, with local authorities monitoring drainage systems to prevent further flooding. In Shimla and neighbouring hill regions, intermittent rainfall persisted through Thursday night and Friday morning, slowing traffic on several stretches.
The IMD has forecast heavy showers in Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts during the day. Residents have been advised to avoid travelling through landslide-prone routes and to stay away from rivers, streams and low-lying areas that could experience sudden rises in water levels.
Officials said the current spell of active monsoon conditions is likely to ease over the weekend. Rainfall intensity is expected to reduce from Saturday, with only scattered showers predicted across many parts of the state over the following week. However, weather experts have indicated that another active phase of the monsoon could return during the latter part of July.
The ongoing rainy season has already caused considerable disruption across Himachal Pradesh. Multiple landslides and cloudburst incidents have been reported since the monsoon arrived, damaging infrastructure and affecting transport networks in several districts.
According to the latest updates from the state administration, hundreds of roads remain blocked due to debris and slope failures, while electricity supply has been affected in numerous locations following damage to power infrastructure. Restoration work is underway, with teams deployed to clear highways and restore essential services.
The widespread rainfall has also brought a significant drop in temperatures across the hill state. Several towns have recorded daytime temperatures well below seasonal averages, providing relief from the summer heat but creating challenging conditions in higher-altitude regions.
Authorities have urged people to remain vigilant, follow official advisories and postpone non-essential travel until weather conditions stabilise. Disaster response teams and district administrations remain on alert to respond swiftly to any emergency arising from the continuing monsoon activity.
