Torrential rains pounded several parts of north India on Sunday with 18 people killed in landslides and other rain-related incidents, while most rivers, including the Yamuna in Delhi, were in spate. In cities and towns across the region, many roads and residential areas were submerged in knee-deep water with the civic system unable to hold on in the face of record rains.
Frightening images of the chaos unleashed by the rains — vehicles floating like paper boats on inundated roads, muddy waters gushing into residential areas, temples and other structures submerged on the banks by the swollen rivers and land cave-ins — were shared online by people from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, among other places.
Heavy downpour warnings have been issued for certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, while in Delhi, which recorded its highest rainfall in a single day in July since 1982, authorities have cautioned over rising water level of the Yamuna.
Meanwhile, the Northern Railways cancelled around 17 trains and diverted around 12 others as heavy rains pounded several parts of the region.
In a statement, a Northern Railways spokesperson said traffic has been suspended at four locations due to waterlogging. These include sections between Noganwan (Ambala)-New Morinda, between Nangal Dam and Anandpur Sahib and between Kiratpur Sahib and Bharatgarh.
“Strict watch is being kept to run trains from the Delhi area safely because of non-stop heavy rains. Eight pumps are being run at the Delhi-Sabzi Mandi area and the station’s trainable area to pump water out of tracks. Trains running in the Delhi area are still normal,” CPRO Northern Railway Deepak Kumar said.
The cancelled trains include Firozpur Cantt Express, Amritsar Super Fast Express, Chandigarh Intercity Express and Chandigarh to Amritsar Junction Express. Those which have been diverted include Mumbai Central to Amritsar Express, Amritsar Express, Daulatpur Chowk Express.
Key developments across north India
Delhi: Delhi government on Sunday issued flood warning after Haryana discharged over 1 lakh cusecs of water into Yamuna river from Hathnikund barrage. All the schools in Delhi will also remain closed on Monday in view of the incessant rain in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced.
Normally, the flow rate at the barrage is 352 cusecs, but heavy rainfall in the catchment areas increases the discharge. The water from the barrage takes around two to three days to reach Delhi.
Authorities have been instructed to stay vigilant and take necessary action in vulnerable areas. Quick response teams have been deployed to raise awareness and warn the people living near the river embankments, according to the department.
A 30-year-old woman died in north Delhi’s Subzi Mandi and 5 others were injured in separate incidents following heavy rains in the national capital on Sunday, police said.
Delhi recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest in a single day in July since 1982, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
— AHindinews (@AHindinews)
Gurugram:
Heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging and traffic congestion in several parts of Gurugram on Sunday with the administration advising corporate houses to work from home on Monday and schools to announce a holiday. The downpour wreaked havoc as arterial roads, parks, underpasses, markets, and even schools and hospitals were inundated.
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav urged residents to stay indoors and venture out only for essential work. He also said corporate offices have been asked to advise their staff to work from home on Monday so that waterlogged roads can be cleared as soon as the rain stops.
Himachal Pradesh: All schools and colleges would remain closed in view of heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh on Monday and Tuesday, announced the state government on Sunday.
The India Meteorological Department on Sunday issued a red alert for Himachal Pradesh. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the state today. “Heavy rainfall (over 204.4 mm) expected on 9th July, beware of flash floods and landslides. Stay safe,” tweeted IMD.
The Weather Department also said that the rainfall can cause flooding and landslide. IMD also issued alerts for flash floods, landslides in the state.
“A red alert has been issued for Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts. Most places in the state will receive rainfall. An orange alert has been issued for Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts,” IMD HP deputy director Bui Lal told news agency ANI. The district administration of Mandi is on alert regarding the incessant rains in Mandi and surrounding districts.
Fourteen major landslides and 13 flash floods have been reported in the past 36 hours while over 700 roads have been closed, according to the Himachal Pradesh emergency operation centre.
— AHindinews (@AHindinews)
Uttarakhand: Three pilgrims drowned in the Ganga after their jeep fell into the river amid a landslide near Gular on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway.
State Disaster Response Force and police officials said there were 11 people in the jeep. Five people have been rescued, while a search is on for three others, they said and added that three bodies have been recovered by rescue personnel.
Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh recorded widespread excess rainfall on Sunday, causing a rise in river water levels, hitting traffic movement in cities, and inundating farms in rural pockets. Of the 75 districts in the state, rainfall was witnessed in around 68 districts, according to Indian Metrological Department (IMD) data.
During the past 24 hours till 12 pm, Uttar Pradesh recorded an average rainfall of 1.3 cm — 56 per cent higher than normal and categorised as “excess” rainfall — the weather data showed. The districts in western Uttar Pradesh adjoining Delhi and Uttarakhand, particularly Meerut zone, received more rainfall than those in the central and eastern parts of the state. The rains were followed by cloudy skies.
Jammu and Kashmir: In Jammu and Kashmir after a landslide hit a passenger bus in Doda district. Bodies of two soldiers, who were swept away by flash floods while crossing the Dogra Nallah on Saturday, were recovered in Poonch district of the Union Territory.
However, there was some relief in Srinagar from heavy downpour and the yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine of Amranath resumed on Sunday from the Panjtarni and the Sheshnag base camps after remaining suspended for three days.
There were also reports of snowfall from high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh, where a red alert has been issued for heavy rains.
Red alert has been issued for Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua and Samba districts along with lower catchment areas with reports of water level in rivers and streams crossing the danger mark.
Punjab: Heavy monsoon rains in several parts of led to massive waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas, prompting authorities to swing into action in the worst-hit places.
The Punjab government has directed ministers, deputy commissioners, senior superintendents of police and other officials concerned to visit the affected areas and provide the required assistance to people.
Haryana: In Haryana, a flood control room has been established amid three rivers Markanda, Ghaggar and Tangri flowing close to the danger mark.
Heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging and traffic congestion in several parts of Gurugram in the state with the administration advising corporate houses to work from home on Monday and schools to announce a holiday.
Widespread rainfall was also reported in Uttar Pradesh where a 10-year-old girl died on Sunday when a tree branch fell on the tin shed of her house in Kaushambi following rains. On Saturday, two people were killed and three injured in separate incidents of lightning strike in Ballia.
Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, a few areas received heavy to very heavy rains while moderate to heavy rainfall occurred in many areas.
(With inputs from agencies)
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