New Delhi: Torrential downpours wreak havoc in North India, claiming over 34 lives in three days. Numerous regions grappling with severe flooding as roads and buildings remain submerged in knee-deep water.
In response to heavy rainfall, all Delhi government schools, from nursery to Class 5, will remain closed on Tuesday. The decision comes after continuous downpours over the past two days forced the closure of all schools today. The education department has also advised private schools to adhere to the same directive.
The meteorological department forecasts further heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi, and nearby areas in the coming days.
Social media flooded with alarming visuals depicting vehicles floating like paper boats, residential areas inundated by muddy waters, and structures swallowed by swollen rivers and landslides.
Fresh visuals of flash floods in Himachal’s #Mandi amid incessant rain #Rains #Flood #HimachalPradesh https://t.co/BdgzsjxLbz pic.twitter.com/teNHkB99ZI
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) July 10, 2023
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tragic news has emerged from Gangnani, Uttarakhand, where four individuals lost their lives and another ten sustained injuries as a result of falling debris on the Gangotri National Highway. The local authorities have confirmed this unfortunate incident and are currently engaged in ongoing rescue operations at the site.
- Staggering images circulating on social media depict the chaos as vehicles floating like paper boats, the swollen rivers have caused structures to be submerged and land cave-ins to occur in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi.
- Flash floods in Manali, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Chamba have washed away shops and vehicles, as major rivers, including Ravi, Beas, Satluj, Swan, and Chenab, swell uncontrollably.
- Uttarakhand has also reported landslides and flash floods, with water levels in rivers and streams surpassing dangerous thresholds.
- A red alert has been issued in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage resumed on Sunday from the Panjtarni and Sheshnag base camps after a three-day suspension.
- All schools in Gurgaon and Delhi have been closed on Monday. The Gurgaon administration has urged corporate offices to adopt a work-from-home policy to alleviate traffic congestion.
- The Delhi government has opened 16 control rooms to closely monitor flood-prone areas. This measure was prompted by Haryana releasing a staggering volume of over one lakh cusecs of water from the Hathnikund barrage into the Yamuna river.
- The states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana have also experienced heavy rainfall, leading to extensive waterlogging and flooding in low-lying regions. Authorities have sprung into action in the worst-affected areas to mitigate the situation.
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the intense rainfall to the convergence of a western disturbance and monsoonal winds over northwest India. This interaction has exacerbated the already dire weather conditions, amplifying the suffering endured by the residents of the affected regions.