Himachal: Five dead in landslides, all major rivers in spate after heavy rains

Himachal: Five dead in landslides, all major rivers in spate after heavy rains

Shimla, Jul 9 (PTI) Five people were killed as heavy rains pounded Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, triggering landslides and flash floods, damaging houses and paralysing normal life with authorities ordering the closure of schools and colleges for two days.

All major rivers are in spate, officials said, adding the local met office had issued a fresh red alert of extremely heavy rains (above 204 mm) in ten out of 12 districts, barring tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, on July 9.

Fourteen major landslides and 13 flash floods have been reported in the past 36 hours while over 700 roads have been closed, according to the state emergency operation centre.