New Delhi: North India is grappling with severe weather conditions due to heavy rains that have persisted for the past few days. The continuous downpour has caused rivers across the country to swell, with many nearing dangerous levels.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that the heavy rains will continue across North India, including Delhi NCR, on August 12. Relief may only be expected from August 13 in some areas.
12 drowned in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, 12 people lost their lives due to drowning incidents. On Sunday, five youths drowned in the Kanota Dam near Jaipur.
The SDRF and Civil Defence teams have launched a rescue operation, but the dam has been overflowing for about five days, creating hazardous conditions. The depth of the dam is around 17 feet, and inadequate security measures have contributed to the danger.
In another incident, seven youths drowned in Banganga river near Srinagar village in Bayana, Bharatpur, while bathing and making reels. Only one youth managed to escape.
Heavy flooding in several parts of Delhi-NCR
The heavy rains have also caused significant disruptions in Delhi-NCR. Flooding has affected several areas, with roads turning into rivers and disrupting daily life. The rainfall has led to problems with electricity and water supply in many societies.
In Gurugram, streets from Hero Honda Chowk to Cyber Park are submerged, with water reaching knee level in residential areas. Water has even entered city buses, exacerbating the situation.
Eight killed in Punjab
In Punjab, a vehicle fell into the Chhoti Parsati rivulet in Jaijon, Hoshiarpur. Eight people died in the incident. The vehicle was swept away while crossing a bridge covered with water.
The family was travelling from Una in Himachal Pradesh to a wedding in Punjab’s SBS Nagar. Despite warnings from locals, the driver proceeded, leading to the tragic accident.
Landslides, flash floods in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has been severely affected, with over 280 roads closed due to landslides and flash floods. Water from overflowing streams has inundated several homes in Una. The Lahaul and Spiti police have advised residents and travellers to avoid crossing the Jahalman Nallah due to rapidly rising water levels.
Rescue operations are ongoing for about 30 people missing since the July 31 flash floods in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts, with 28 bodies recovered so far. Kinnaur district has been cut off from Shimla due to flash floods and landslides on the National Highway 5, as reported by PTI.
IMD issues ‘heavy rain alert’ for several states
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar, warning of intense rainfall in these regions.
A red alert has been declared for eastern Rajasthan, indicating extremely heavy rain. An orange alert has been issued for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and North Eastern states, where heavy to very heavy rain is expected.