Himachal rains

The hills of Himachal Pradesh continued to experience moderate to heavy rainfall Monday, causing landslides in some areas and blocking the highways, while all the major rivers and their tributaries were in spate, officials said.

As many as 50 persons lost their lives and 5,287 structures were damaged due to heavy rains in the state, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said.

Himachal Pradesh is set to get heavy rains this week even as most roads in the interiors of Kinnaur district remain closed to traffic after last month`s torrential rains and landslides.

Relief and compensation to farmers of rain-ravaged Kinnaur district would be provided at their door-step, Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday said.

Twenty-three people were killed this year in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy snow and rains, the government said on Wednesday.