CHANDIGARH
As incessant monsoon rain continued to batter Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides and disrupting traffic, widespread destruction was reported in and around Chamba town. Several residential areas were inundated with mud and debris, damaging houses and shops, disrupting normal life, and burying vehicles. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a flash flood warning for seven districts over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, water supply in Shimla could remain disrupted for the next few days due to a transformer failure at the Satluj Water Supply Project. The worst-hit areas in Chamba were Sultanpur ward and the adjoining gram panchayats of Sarol, Parel and Tadohli, where flash runoff carrying boulders and debris swept through residential localities. Residents woke up to scenes of devastation after heavy rain sent torrents of water and sludge into homes and commercial establishments.