Shruti Suman
New Delhi
Heavy rain across north India over the past three days has resulted in numerous deaths due to landslides and other rain-related incidents. The meteorological department stated that this unprecedented rainfall is a result of the combination of a western disturbance and monsoonal winds.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy, very heavy, and extremely heavy rainfall in 23 states across the country. Uttarakhand has been issued a red alert, while West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya are expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall.
The weather office has forecasted heavy rainfall for Himachal Pradesh today. However, the intensity of the rain is expected to significantly decrease after three days of intense rainfall.
Today, the weather office has also predicted moderate to light rainfall in Delhi and the surrounding areas.
The extent of the damage in the entire region can be seen in visuals showing bridges being washed away, boulders tumbling down hills due to landslides caused by the rain, and vehicles being engulfed by rushing waters.
The water level in the River Yamuna in Delhi crossed the danger mark of 205.33 meters late last evening. Overnight, the water level continued to rise, reaching 206.32 meters by this morning. The increased water level is a result of Haryana releasing more water from the Hathnikund barrage into the river.
In Haryana and Punjab, special teams have been deployed to assess the damage and provide food, water, and shelter to those who have been displaced after three days of heavy rain.
A flood-like situation has developed in a private housing colony in Dera Bassi, Punjab, following a fresh spell of rain. The water level has risen so high that boats and tractors had to be used to rescue locals who were trapped in their homes.
Himachal Pradesh, the worst affected state in north India, has witnessed heavy rainfall causing the deaths of 30 people and damage worth ₹3,000 crore. The state capital, Shimla, reported the highest number of casualties with 11 deaths. The police have identified 29 of the 30 deceased individuals.
Moreover, over 500 tourists are stranded in various parts of the state due to landslides caused by the heavy rain, blocking access to those areas.
In Uttarakhand, heavy rain and falling boulders claimed the lives of four people and injured seven others last evening. The boulders rolled down the hills and crushed three passing vehicles. The state has been issued an orange alert, with Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami stating that the administration is on full alert.
Further north, in Jammu, the Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for the fourth consecutive day due to damage on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in the Ramban section caused by heavy rain-triggered landslides. As a result, 15,000 pilgrims are stranded in Jammu and other areas.
The weather office has predicted more heavy rain for several states in north India, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to assist in relief and rescue operations. The NDRF has deployed 39 teams to the affected states.
