Daijiworld Media Network – Shimla

Shimla, Jul 22: Three people were injured and 12 more houses were damaged following heavy overnight rain in the Boh Valley of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, officials said on Wednesday, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of continued flash flood risk across several districts.

The latest damage has taken the total number of houses affected in the valley to 18, after six houses were washed away in a cloudburst-triggered flash flood on Tuesday.

According to officials, the cloudburst caused flash floods and massive debris flows in Sapedi and Garun villages, while Lam village also remains under threat. Several roads leading to the affected villages have been damaged, hampering rescue and relief operations.

Of the damaged structures, 13 are pucca houses and five are kutcha houses. In addition, nine cowsheds were destroyed. The disaster also claimed the lives of three buffaloes, four cows, one bull and one sheep, while three people sustained injuries.

Residents reportedly heard a loud blast-like sound from the hills moments before a torrent of water, mud and boulders swept through the area. Officials said the timely evacuation of villagers helped prevent any loss of human life.

The Shimla Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated parts of Kangra and Mandi districts, while a yellow alert has been sounded for Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur.

The weather department has also warned of a low to moderate risk of flash floods over the next 24 hours in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Kullu districts.

Meanwhile, landslides in the Dibba and Maned Nallah areas have made it difficult for rescue teams and administrative officials to reach the affected locations.

The IMD has forecast that the wet spell is likely to continue in the state until July 27.