In pictures: Flash floods in Dharamsala damage houses, vehicles

Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, July 12

Encroachments on natural drains and heavy rains led to flash floods in Bhagsunag area of Upper Dharamsala on Monday morning.

Dharamsala, some 250 km from the state capital, recorded the precipitation of 119 mm, the highest ever in this monsoon.

Due to flash floods, many cars of tourists parked in the Bhagsunag area were damaged.

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Consistent encroachments on natural rivulets have narrowed them down which leads to flash floods after heavy rains.

Due to heavy rains, most rivers flowing from Dhauladhar hills were in full spate.

Flash floods in Manji river damaged three houses and five shops in Bagli area on Dharamsala-Kangra road. The road leading from Sheela to Bagli was also damaged.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director Manmohan Singh told IANS heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was recorded at many places in Kangra district. The rainfall was widespread in the state.

Palampur in Kangra district recorded 155 mm rain, the highest in the state, while it was 48 mm in Dalhousie, 10 mm in the state capital and 55 mm in picturesque tourist resort Manali.

The weather bureau has forecast heavy rain at isolated places in the state till Wednesday.

The southwest monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 13, in its earliest onset in the past 21 years. Its normal arrival in the state is June 26. Since its arrival the hill state largely saw dominant rains.

--with IANS