Cloudburst triggers flash flood in Dharamshala, causes severe damage in Bhagsu Nag

Shimla: A cloudburst in Dharamshala has triggered a flash flood, washing away vehicles and causing damage to properties in the Bhagsu Nag area.

The flash flood-like situation leads to washing away of roadside parked cars and partially damaging houses, officials said. The rapid pace at which the water was flowing transformed — in no time — a brook in Bhagsu Nag, which is a tourist attraction, into nothing short of a river.

Some of the hotels in the area have reported heavy damage. The cloudburst and flash floods have instilled fear in people and also caused commotion and confusion. However, there was no loss to human life.

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

Three houses and five shops located along a seasonal rivulet in the Gaggal area were damaged owing to the gushing of water. The damage to the property was largely owing to encroachments on rivulets, officials told IANS.

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, 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.

Besides Kangra, several other districts in Himachal Pradesh have also witnessed heavy rain after days of hot weather. The Monday downpour brought respite but caused a lot of damage too.