Heavy Rains Collapses Decades-Old Bridge in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmour; Traffic Diverted to New Bridge

Incessant heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh have severely impacted infrastructure, highlighted by the collapse of a 50 to 60-year-old bridge on the National Highway in Paonta Sahib, Sirmour district, on Tuesday.

Key Highlights:
- Bridge Collapse: The middle pillar of the aging bridge gave way, causing the central portion to crash. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
- Precautionary Measures: Recognizing the dilapidated state of the old bridge earlier, authorities had already constructed a new parallel bridge, ensuring traffic on the National Highway remained largely uninterrupted. The old bridge has now been completely closed.
- Wider Impact: Heavy rains across the state have disrupted normal life, with 153 roads currently closed due to weather-related damage.