High velocity winds, hailstorm disrupt power, communication lines in HP
SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA:High velocity winds coupled with hailstorm has adversely impacted the horticultural crops and disrupted communication and power lines in Himachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours.
State capital Shimla was hit by thunderstorm during the wee hours of Thursday morning which led to a drop in the day temperature. The wind velocity in Shimla was around 60-65 kilometre per hour, Shimla weather office confirmed.
National highway 5 has caved in near ISBT, Shimla. restoration work is on amnd trafiic has been diverted.
The landslide triggered due to rainfall also blocked national highway 5 connecting Shimla to Kinnaur in Kinnaur, the highway is blocked at eight places.
During the last 24 hours, hailstorm accompanied by rain affected apple plants that are on blooming stage.
"High velocity winds, hailstorm damaged the flowers in apple orchards," said Jiya Lal Chauhan, a Kotkhai farmer.
Shimla Metrological director Manmohan Singh said, "Precipitation and thunderstorm will be less in next 24 hours," he said, adding, "Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded highest precipitation in March after 2002."
CHIEF SECY TAKES STOCK OF SITUATION Chief secretary VC Pharka held a state level disaster management meeting to take stock of heavy rains, hail storm and snowfall in higher riches during last two days in the state. He said that unprecedented wide spread heavy rains alongwith hail storm had been occurred in all districts of the state.
He directed PWD, IPH and electricity departments to restore the affected roads, water supply schemes and electricity on priority.
Pharka directed the agriculture and horticulture departments to seek reports of losses at the earliest from all the districts.
Additional chief secretary (revenue and disaster manager) Tarun Sridhar said that funds have already been provided to the deputy commissioners and other line departments under disaster management and asked to utilise the same and seek more funds, if required.
AVALANCHE WARNING IN J&K, HP
High and medium danger avalanche warnings were issued for areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
The advisory was issued by the Chandigarh-based snow and avalanche study establishment (SASE), part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
“High-danger avalanche warning is in place for slopes and areas of Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir,” the SASE said.
“A medium-danger avalanche warning is in place in slopes and areas of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir,” it said.