Monsoon fury devastates North India

New Delhi, Aug 1: Torrential rains on Wednesday and Thursday wreaked havoc across several parts of North India, resulting in over 15 deaths and numerous missing persons.

In Delhi NCR, incidents of drowning due to massive waterlogging, building collapses, and electrocutions were reported.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh faced severe devastation from cloudbursts and flash floods, and Uttarakhand’s highways were swept away.

Waterlogging also affected parts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more heavy rains for the northern parts of the country, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh on August 1 and August 2.

2 die, 36 missing in Shimla; 8 missing in Mandi

A series of devastating events unfolded in Himachal Pradesh, with 36 people reported missing in the Samej area of Shimla district and eight people missing in the Tikken area of Mandi.

Two bodies have been recovered, and one person is injured.

In Kullu, a power project barrage in Malana breached, stranding people and closing road connectivity. The chief minister convened an emergency meeting to address the situation.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anupam Kashyap said that relief operations commenced immediately.

The inclusion of ITBP and the Special Home Guard contingent has bolstered rescue efforts, with teams working to manage the crisis effectively.

Basic facilities, including ambulances, have been provided to ensure immediate medical attention for those affected.

8 die in Uttarakhand

Heavy rains and flash floods disrupted life in Uttarakhand, with Tehri and Rudraprayag districts being the worst affected.

At least eight people have died due to landslides and rain-related accidents since Wednesday evening.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) evacuated nearly 1000 yatris stranded along the Kedarnath trek due to rains and landslides.

Authorities reported that the footpath to the Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district, starting from Gaurikund, had been severely damaged in at least nine places.

Approximately 20 to 25 meters of the national highway connecting Rudraprayag and Rishikesh were washed away, or blocked, complicating vehicular movement.

7 die in Delhi NCR

At least seven people died in Delhi, and three suffered injuries in separate incidents as the national capital experienced heavy rains on Wednesday.

A woman and her son drowned in a waterlogged drain near Khoda Colony in Delhi’s Ghazipur area.

A 12-year-old boy died from electrocution in the Bindapur area of Dwarka district.

One person was killed in the Subzi Mandi area, and three more were injured in building collapse incidents in Shastri Park and Defence Colony.

In Gurugram, three people died from electrocution near the IFFCO Chowk metro station last night after a high-tension wire broke and fell due to the heavy rains.

Water-logging was reported across Delhi, where uprooted electricity poles and trees caused additional hazards and traffic jams on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

Impact on Kanwar Yatra

Delhi is currently witnessing the Kanwar Yatra, where hundreds of devotees walk from the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, carrying pots of sacred water to offer at local Shiva temples.

Special arrangements, including traffic diversions and safety corridors, were made, but many of these routes have been inundated with rainwater, necessitating changes in plans.

The Delhi Traffic Police advised residents to follow traffic advisories due to the movement of Kanwarias from Noida to Delhi at the Kalindi Kunj border.

Heavy vehicles heading to Noida are being restricted on Road No 13-A to reduce congestion on the Kalindi Kunj Yamuna bridge.

Weather forecast and traffic disruptions

The IMD reported that clouds have converged over Delhi from all directions and advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Intermittent showers are expected in Delhi until August 5, leading to slippery roads, low visibility, traffic disruptions, and localised waterlogging in low-lying areas.

School closures and public safety

Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena announced that all schools, both government and private, would remain closed on August 1 due to the heavy rainfall forecast.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi also announced the closure of all schools under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

As authorities continue to manage the impacts of the monsoon, residents have been urged to stay informed and follow official advisories.

The emergency response teams are working tirelessly to mitigate the disaster's effects and ensure the safety of all affected individuals.