Monsoon Tracker Update: Heavy to very heavy rain lashing parts of India

Highways blocked after landslides in hilly states; floods in Mizoram, Tripura prompt evacuation

Rain continued across the country on Friday, with further landslides in the mountainous states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh blocking key roads and swollen rivers in northeastern states forcing authorities to evacuate people to safer areas.

At least five more people died in rain-related incidents even as parts of the country, including Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan, experienced a dry day after days of incessant heavy showers.

In Himachal Pradesh, heavy to extremely heavy rains have disrupted normal life in many parts, blocking roads, damaging bridges and uprooting trees. Schools remained closed in many parts of the state.

In Shimla, commuters faced inconvenience as 27 link roads were closed for vehicular traffic, officials said.

Incidents of rock falls were reported along the Kalka-Shimla National Highway and between Waknaghat and Kandaghat and between Dharampur and Chakki Mod. The Sangla bridge in Kinnaur district, which was built last year with the help of the BRO and the Indian Army, is at risk of a landslide and any further damage could cut off the Sangla valley, officials said.

– PTI