Northern states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and its adjoining areas have been the worst affected states. Rajasthan has been affected too.

Himachal Pradesh has suffered the most. In the last 24 hours, 34 people have lost their lives due to landslides, roof bursting, building collapse, falling trees and lightning due to torrential rains.

With the Met Office predicting heavy to extremely heavy rain on a third consecutive day today in Himachal Pradesh that previously caused statewide landslides and blocking of highways and link roads, the government advised to avoid travel until it is extremely necessary.

As per state government figures, eight people have lost their lives across Himachal in rain-related incidents.

“It is raining heavily in the region. Please avoid travel until it is extremely necessary,” it advised.

In a late-night operation, an NDRF team rescued six people who were stranded in the Beas river near Nagwain village due to the rise in the water level of the river after incessant rainfall. Meanwhile, five people stranded in Kasol, Kullu district, have also been rescued.

“Around 20-21 people are stuck in Kisan Bhawan in Kullu and it is dangerously surrounded by river from all sides. Ground rescue is very difficult. The administration is requisitioning the Indian Air Force for tomorrow (Monday) morning,” Additional Director General of Police Abhishek Trivedi tweeted.

The water level in all rivers of the state - Satluj, Beas and Yamuna - which enter the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana has increased, informed a government official.

Destruction in Himachal since the arrival of monsoon

Himachal has been devastated since the monsoon arrived on June 24. A sudden cloudburst in Mandi and Kullu late on the night of July 8 caused the Vyas river to rise in water, washing away three bridges, an ATM and four shops.

The Meteorological Department has issued a red and orange alert for Heavy Rains in the next 48 hours. Vande Bharat and other trains from Ambala to Una-Amb-Daulatpur Chowk were halted due to inundation of tracks in many parts of Punjab. The Yatra of Shrikhand Mahadev has been suspended for two days. Six inches of water has fallen in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh. On the other hand, Jhunzhunu and Sikar have flood-like conditions.

Other damages caused by the rains

A 40-year-old bridge was washed away by the Vyas river in Mandi, Himachal. After 41 years, Delhi has received 259 mm of rain in just 33 hours in July. Northern Railway has canceled 17 trains due to rain. In fact, routes of 12 trains had to be changed.

Landslides have added to the situation

Landslides have reduced roads to rubble in hilly states. Water-logging in the state capital Delhi has led to chaos in traffic too.

Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to chief ministers of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and lieutenant governors of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir and assured all possible help from the center to deal with the situation.

Flash floods and cars were washed away

Several vehicles were washed away by flash floods in the Beas river due to cloudburst in Kullu-Manali. Five national highways including Manali-Leh, Chandigarh-Manali, 736 roads have been closed due to landslides. Trains have been stopped on the heritage Kalka-Shimla track due to debris fall.

Flood alert in Yamuna river near red mark, Delhi

The water level of Yamuna river in Delhi has reached near the danger mark. Due to continuous release of water from Hathnikund barrage in Yamunanagar, Delhi government has declared a flood alert. So far more than one lakh cusecs of water has been released.

On July 9 itself Delhi received 153 mm of rain in the 24 hours till 8 am. 41 years ago, on July 25, 1982, the highest rainfall was recorded at 169.9 mm.

Heavy rains in Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana

There was heavy rain in various districts of Punjab including Patiala, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Fatehgarh Sahib. A flood warning has been issued in Patiala and houses in low-lying areas have been evacuated. Chandigarh has received 322 mm of rain in 24 hours. Life has been affected due to heavy rains.

Heavy rains lashed most districts including Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Kaithal. Ambala has received 270 mm of rain since July 8.

Orange alert has been declared in Uttarakhand for heavy rains in the next two days. Over 175 roads have been closed due to landslide debris. Gangotri-Yamunotri highway will be closed from 8 pm to 5 am.

Schools will remain closed in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida and Ludhiana.

(with inputs from IANS)

For more such updates and news on the go, follow us on

Instagram | YouTube | Facebook