Heavy monsoon rains have continued to wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, triggering severe floods, multiple landslides, road blockages, and the closure of schools, as authorities maintain red and orange alerts to ensure public safety. The situation remains critical with rivers in spate, roads cut off, and rescue teams on high alert as residents brace for more rainfall in the coming days.
Himachal Pradesh Under Red Alert
In Himachal Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for districts like Mandi, which is battling severe flooding due to the rising Beas River. Early morning visuals from Mandi showed the river flowing above danger levels, inundating nearby areas and damaging infrastructure. The Mandi-Manali stretch of the crucial Chandigarh-Manali highway has seen multiple landslides, disrupting traffic and isolating communities, while educational institutions in Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur, and Solan districts have been ordered to shut for safety reasons.
The state has reported three additional rain-related deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the monsoon season’s death toll to 23. The State Emergency Operation Centre has confirmed that over 250 roads, including major routes in Mandi and Sirmaur, have been closed due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, while power and water supply have been severely impacted with over 614 power transformers and 130 water supply schemes damaged.
Uttarakhand Faces Heavy Rainfall and Flood Threat
Neighbouring Uttarakhand is also grappling with heavy rainfall, which is likely to persist as per IMD forecasts. Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit noted that the administration is closely monitoring river levels and has deployed teams to prevent residents from venturing near ghats, with announcements being made in flood-prone settlements and villages.
An orange alert has been issued for several hill districts, including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, predicting heavy rainfall over the next two days. Schools in these districts have been closed as a precaution, with Chamoli shutting all classes from 1 to 12 on July 1, and Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi also keeping schools closed in response to the weather warnings.
To ensure preparedness, authorities conducted a mock drill over the weekend and have been directed to keep essential resources, food, and medicines stocked in low-lying flood-prone areas. Residents have been advised to remain indoors and cooperate with rescue teams as further rainfall is expected.
Meanwhile, Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed light to moderate rainfall on Monday, bringing relief from heat while also improving the region’s air quality. The IMD has predicted above-normal rainfall for most parts of the country during July, urging residents, particularly in central India, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, to stay alert for possible flooding during the ongoing monsoon season.
