Heavy rain in North India disrupts life, triggers floods: Top developments

  25 September 2018    Read: 1226
Heavy rain in North India disrupts life, triggers floods: Top developments

Incessant rains triggered flash floods and landslides in hill states of northern India, with at least 11 people dead on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, and a 'red alert' being issued in Punjab.

The collision of two meteorological phenomena -- cyclone Daye from the Bay of Bengal and a Western Disturbance coming from Pakistan have resulted in north-west India receiving 454 per cent more rainfall than the normal for this period since Friday.

Tourists missing in Lahaul-Spiti

In Himachal Pradesh, 45 tourists including 35 students from IIT-Rourkee had gone missing from the Lahaul-Spiti region.

The group have been located in the Sissu area of Lahaul-Spiti. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has said that the trekkers are safe.
Hundreds of people are stranded at various places following the suspension of bus services.

The district collector of Kullu has said that the 120 people who were stranded in Kokhsar of Lahaul-Spiti will be airlifted to Kullu. The 350 people stranded in Baralacha area of Manali and Leh will be rescued later.

Around 12 people stranded in various tourist spots such as Kothi, Palchan, Solangnala have been safely brought to Manali.

Water released from Hathini Kund

Current the water level in the Yamuna level near Delhi's Kashmere Gate is 204.64, which is 19 cm below the danger level. The water released from the Hathini Kund Barrage is continuously on the higher side since 10 pm last night, the release is continuously between 1.5 lakh and 2.5 lakh cusecs every hour since last night.

Schools, colleges closed in Punjab

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) issued an advisory to the Punjab government that it will release "excess" water from the Pong dam in the wake of incessant rains in catchment areas of the Beas river. Educational institutes have been ordered to remain closed on Tuesday in Punjab.

The Punjab government has asked district authorities to remain vigilant to avert any untoward situation due to heavy rains, an official said.

Paddy crops damaged in Punjab, Haryana

Incessant rains in Punjab and Haryana could cause damage to Kharif crops and dip in their yield, farm experts said.

According to farmers, paddy crop, which is at the maturing stage, has been damaged in low-lying areas.

Situation improves in Kullu, Manali

Skies have cleared in Chandigarh and many parts of Himachal including Kullu, which was on "red alert" previously. The meteorological department has predicted light to moderate rainfall in Kullu, Una, and Hamirpur districts of Himachal Pradesh.

All educational institutions including schools to remain open in the state today.

There are traffic jams on highways as roads have been partially damaged. Traffic remains suspended on NH21 near Aut Mandi and between Kullu and Manali. Though water level in Beas has receded, the muck and debris are yet to be cleared.

Traffic has been restored from Kullu to Patlikuhal on the Kullu-Manali road. Traffic from Patlikuhal to Manali is being allowed movement only for emergency purposes. If the weather remains clear today then it will be restored by evening.

Floodgates opened at Sukhna Lake

A dramatic increase in water level in the Sukhna Lake has led to district officials opening three floodgates of the lake in Chandigarh on Monday evening. The water level in the lake has crossed the danger mark of 1,163 feet. The last time the situation was as dire in the region was in 2008.

While the water level remains the same, officials have said that the flow in the lake has come down substantially.

Chardham yatra disrupted in Uttarakhand

Apart from the heavy rains in the state, it started snowing in Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri's surrounding hills.

Due to the continuing rainfall in the Kedar Valley, the road leading to Kedarnath is experiencing closures often and the yatris are finding it difficult to complete their yatra.

7 dead in Jammu and Kashmir

Heavy rain has disrupted normal life in Jammu and Kashmir and claimed lives of at least seven people. Five people died in Doda and two in Kathua district in two separate incidents due to landslides and floods.

In Jammu's Doda district, five people died after their house was destroyed in a landslide triggered by heavy rain.

In another incident, two people died in the Kathua district of Jammu region hit by floods and landslides.

Multiple landslides and shooting stones from a hillock along the highway between Ramban and Udhampur districts had blocked the arterial road since Sunday morning.


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