Shimla: Schools in at least nine of 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh will remain closed on Monday after rains and snowfall lashed many parts of the state.
All government and private schools in Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Kinnaur, Solan and Hamirpur districts have been directed to remain closed as a precautionary measure.
While only government and private schools will remain closed in Shimla and Sirmaur districts, the deputy commissioners of the seven districts of Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Kinnaur, Solan and Hamirpur have ordered closure of all government and private educational institutions, including schools, colleges, ITIs and Anganwari Kendras on Monday.
Kangra DC Sandeep Kumar warned the general public and tourists to stay away from rivers and nullahs to avoid any untoward incident. In case of any emergency, administration may be contacted at 1077.
Water level in dams and rives has increased a lot and water is being released from various dams, district officials added.
The Met Office has forecast heavy rains and snowfall in the upper hills till Monday. Several roads in various parts of the state, especially in Kinnaur and Chamba districts, were blocked due to landslides, heavy rains and snowfall, district officials said.
Twenty stranded people were rescued from the Rohtang Pass, which saw about four feet of fresh snowfall on Sunday, a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) official said.
Chamba sub-divisional magistrate has warned the people not to go near the Ravi river and other nullahs as water is being released from the Chamera dam.
The water level in Beas is increasing due to incessant rains in the catchment areas. An empty luxury tourist bus was washed away in the flooded river in Manali, ANI reported.