NEW DELHI: Torrential rains and cloudbursts have triggered widespread devastation across several Indian states, with flash floods, landslides, and rising river levels reported. Rescue operations are underway as officials warn of continued heavy downpours in the coming days.
Uttarakhand: Cloudburst Triggers Havoc
A cloudburst in Uttarkashi district caused flash floods and landslides, blocking many sections of the Uttarkashi-Harsil route. Two separate cloudbursts in Dharali and Sukhi Top have left four people dead and over 50 missing, according to ANI reports. The region also witnessed heavy mudslides, hampering rescue and clearance work.
Uttar Pradesh: 21 Districts Hit by Floods
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that 21 districts in the state are reeling from floods caused by relentless rain over the past 10–12 days. Varanasi saw residential areas inundated as the Ganga surged, while Prayagraj officials reported improvement as water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers began to recede.
Himachal Pradesh: 194 Dead in Monsoon Season
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed that 194 people have died since June 20 due to heavy monsoon rains. The state also reported a staggering financial loss exceeding ₹1.85 lakh crore.
Bihar: Rising Bagmati River Threatens Villages
In Muzaffarpur’s Aurai block, the Bagmati river’s tributaries have risen by about 3 feet, washing away the Chachari bridge and forcing residents of around a dozen villages to use boats for travel. Officials are closely monitoring possible embankment erosion in Benibad.
Kerala: IMD Issues Red Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Kannur and Kasaragod districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert was declared in Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad, while yellow warnings are in place for several other districts.
Weather Forecast Nationwide
- Northwest India: Heavy rainfall likely in Uttarakhand on August 6, and in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh over the next week.
- South Peninsular India: Extremely heavy rain expected in northern Kerala; strong surface winds up to 50 kmph forecast.
- Northeast India: Heavy showers and thunderstorms in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram from Aug 6–12.
- East & Central India: Heavy rain likely in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
- West India: Isolated heavy rainfall predicted in Marathwada, Konkan, Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra.
