Several northern states continue to reel under the impact of the monsoon, with relentless rainfall and flooding persisting for days. As heavy showers pound the region, the India Meteorological Department
on Monday issued a red alert for parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The weather department had predicted more flooding and mudslides in Punjab’s hilly catchment areas, which may lead to severe waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the next 24-48 hours would be “crucial”, saying people whose houses were affected in the rain were being relocated to safer areas.
“Some of our districts are in red alert and some districts are in orange alert… The next 24-48 hours are crucial, and we all have to keep a close watch. Our entire district administration, NDRF, SDRF, all departments are on alert… We are also monitoring the Nanak Sagar Dam. It is flowing 5 feet below the danger level…,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
A red alert is in place for Almora, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat, and an orange warning has been issued for other districts.
Himachal Pradesh has also witnessed natural calamities in regions like Chamba and Shimla. During the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba, 16 devotees lost their lives. The pilgrimage was subsequently suspended due to severe weather, leaving more than 15,000 devotees stranded.
Himachal Pradesh has seen over 300 deaths since the beginning of the monsoon season, and the natural disasters triggered by incessant downpour in the hill state. The number went up on Monday, with 16 deaths reported in Chamba, and three in Shimla after a landslide buried a house.
819 roads, including three national highways,1,236 electricity transformers, and 424 water supply schemes have also been disrupted in the state. According to news agency ANI, 253 roads in Chamba, 206 in Mandi, 175 in Kullu and 61 in Kangra faced disruptions.
Rescue and relief teams could face tougher challenges this week as a red alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for three days across several districts, including Una, Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmaur.
All colleges, universities and educational institutions have been shut till Wednesday, September 3, in light of the flood situation in Punjab.
A red alert for rain has been issued in Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Patiala and Nawashahr, and orange and yellow warnings are in place for other districts.
