Dharamshala, July 8 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Shimla has predicted that rainfall will continue across Himachal Pradesh till July 13, with heavy showers likely at several places during this period. The weather office has issued a yellow alert for moderate to heavy rainfall in Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur districts on July 8. A similar alert has been issued for Mandi and Shimla districts on July 9. On July 10, the yellow alert has been extended to Una, Hamirpur, Kangra and Mandi districts. Similar alerts have also been issued for several districts on July 11.Light to moderate rainfall was recorded at a few places across the state on Tuesday, including Dharamshala. According to the IMD, Guler in Kangra district recorded the highest rainfall of 5 cm during the last 24 hours, followed by Sarahan (3 cm), Sundarnagar (3 cm), Nadaun (2 cm), Sujanpur Tira (2 cm), Kahu (2 cm), Nahan (1 cm), Shimla (1 cm), Slapper (1 cm), Dharampur (1 cm) and Jogindarnagar (1 cm). Thunderstorms and lightning were also reported from Murari Devi, Kangra, Bhuntar, Jubbarhatti, Shimla and Sundernagar. The IMD said thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are likely at isolated places across many parts of state during this period. Also, sustained winds of 30-40 kmph are likely to prevail over Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts till July 13. Meanwhile, the public works department (PWD) minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday said the state government has deployed around 1,500 machines across state to ensure roads remain open during the ongoing monsoon season, with special focus on landslide-prone and disaster-vulnerable areas. Speaking to media after chairing a review meeting on disaster preparedness with chief engineers, engineers-in-chief, superintending engineers and executive engineers of the department, Singh said directions had been issued for the immediate deployment of heavy machinery, including Pokland excavators and JCBs, besides hiring additional equipment wherever required. "At the review meeting held this morning, around 104 roads were reported closed, including several link roads. Of these, 50 to 55 roads are expected to be reopened by 5 pm today, while the remaining roads will be restored within the next day or so," Singh said. Ensuring monsoon preparedness, the Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Kiran Bhadana on Tuesday inspected the bridge being constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) over the Jahalma Nallah and issued instructions to accelerate the pace of construction. She noted that the Lahaul Valley is currently in a critical period for the harvesting and marketing of peas, cauliflower, and other agricultural and horticultural crops. Consequently, it is essential to transport farmers' produce to mandis and other markets in a timely manner. She added that once the bridge is completed, farmers and local residents will have access to permanent, safe, and convenient connectivity, which will further facilitate transportation of agricultural produce. A delegation Ward No. 2 (Akhara Bazaar) and Ward No. 4 (Upper Sultanpur) residents on Tuesday submitted a detailed memorandum to the chief minister through the Kullu deputy commissioner, demanding immediate preventive measures to avert potentially devastating landslides in the area. The memorandum emphasised that residents are living in constant fear due to the threat of landslides. "We have called for covering vulnerable slopes with waterproof tarpaulins to minimise rainwater seepage, reinforcing slopes with retaining walls and wire mesh, and establishing early warning systems for high-risk areas," said Mahiman Chander, one of the delegates who submitted the memorandum. The DC directed concerned officials-including those from the public works department, jal shakti department, municipal council, and disaster management authority-to carry out immediate repairs and plan for a long-term, permanent solution....