HP: Dharamshala-Shimla National Highway 88 disconnected as small bridge collapses

Aug 23, 2023

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 23 : Due to heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the Dharamshala-Shimla National Highway 88 was not operational for movement of vehicles as a small bridge collapsed on Wednesday morning near Jawalamukhi.
Heavy Rainfall has disturbed normal life in Himachal Pradesh.
It’s raining very heavily in several parts of Himachal Pradesh including Kangra Valley and the India Met Department has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in many places in the state today.
SP Kangra, Shalini Agnihotri told ANI that “Rain has hit normal life and NH 88 is disconnected as a small brigade collapsed this morning. There is very heavy rainfall in several pockets of the district. There is a risk of landslides at various places and we appeal to people to avoid travelling in such climatic conditions.”
Himachal Pradesh is facing nature’s havoc in recent times. Due to heavy rainfall in the state, local people are facing financial problems too as the hotel industry has virtually shut down.
Vijay Thakur, marketing manager of the HP tourism department in Dharamshala said, “It’s raining very heavily here since last night and the rain has badly disturbed normal life. The administration has ordered to close all schools and educational institutions due to rain. The market is closed and the hotel industry is facing adversity. There is no customer, no tourist.”
The effect of the monsoon will remain until August 27 in Himachal Pradesh. After that, the weather is expected to be normal, officials said.
Due to the heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh from August 13 to August 18, landslides at many places in the state caused a lot of damage, and many people lost their lives.
The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority is constantly keeping an eye on the changes due to the weather. Emergency numbers have also been issued in the state to help the people. Earth moving machines have been deployed in areas where there is a possibility of landslides or road closures, an official said.