Himachal gets yellow alert, heavy rain likely till Aug 6; 115 roads closed

The meteorological office here on Friday issued a 'yellow' alert for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning in isolated places in ten out districts of Himachal Pradesh till August 6. A total of 115 roads -- 46 in Mandi, 38 in Kullu, 15 in Shimla, six each in kangra and Sirmaur, three in Kinnaur and one in Lahaul and Spiti -- are closed for vehicular traffic following heavy rains in the state. According the state emergency operation centre, 225 transformers and 111 water supply schemes have been affected. Rain-related incidents have claimed 77 lives since the onset of monsoon on June 27 till August 1 and the state has also suffered losses to the tune of Rs 655 crore, according to the centre. The Himachal Roads Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended bus services on 82 out of the total 3,612 routes, Managing Director Rohan Chand Thakur said. The MeT office also cautioned of the possibility of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas and damage to plantations and standing c