Unprecedented rainfall continues to wreak havoc in several parts of the country, with waterlogging, landslide and floods causing loss of lives and property.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of 'heavy to extremely heavy' rainfall' in the hilly areas of Pune district, Konkan and central Maharashtra on Saturday. Heavy to very heavy rain along with thunderstorms and lightning have been predicted at isolated places over Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Pauri and Nainital in the next 24 hours. Telangana, too, continues to be battered by the monsoon with the IMD issuing a red alert on Friday amid a prediction of widespread rainfall in the state over 24 hours.
Uttarakhand: The hill state, one of the worst-hit by the monsoons, witnessed waterlogging and landslides in several areas. Badrinath and Yamunotri National Highway were blocked due to landslides caused by heavy rains. Late of Friday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared areas in Haridwar waterlogged due to flood as "disaster-prone" and deferred the payment of electricity and water bills and other government dues and loans for the next three months. Due to heavy rains in Haridwar district, 71 villages were submerged, forcing several families to leave their houses for some place else, and 81 families to be shifted to temporary relief centres. Dhami said the government is working on a flood management plan to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Himachal Pradesh: There is no relief in sight for the flood-wrecked state as the IMD issued fresh warning for the next five days. The weather office also said that low to moderate flash flood risk will persist in Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla and Sirmaur districts during this period, Hindustan Times reported.
Maharashtra: The search and rescue teams recovered six more bodies from the site of landslide at Irshalwadi village in Raigad district taking the death toll in the incident to 22. A total of 86 persons are yet to be traced. Officials said that the survivors will be provided temporary shelter in 60 shipping containers. As heavy rains battered Mumbai, severe waterlogging and flooding are being reported from most parts of the city and suburbs. Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal appealed to the citizens to stay indoors and venture out only if necessary. Rain-related deaths were also reported from Palghar after two men fell into a drain.
Delhi: Earlier this week, Met officials predicted lighter showers in Delhi till the weekend, but also predicted rainfall could intensify later. The Yamuna which was gradually receding after the water inundates several key areas of the national capital crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres yet again on Friday. With the IMD warning of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh till July 22, officials are on high alert.
Gujarat: The IMD has issued a red alert for the rain-battered state on Saturday and Sunday. Heavy rainfall has triggered floods in low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. The National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have been put on high alert in view of the rain situation. Out of Gujarat's 206 reservoirs, 43 have been placed on high alert due to heavy inflow of water. 18 reservoirs are on alert mode, and warnings have been issued for another 19, said the state government. Monsoon rivers such as the Saraswati and Hiran are reportedly overflowing.
Rajasthan: After bountiful rains this season, 114 dams are either full or "overflowing", officials told PTI. To ensure preparedness for a flood situation, control rooms have been set up in all 33 districts to monitor 54 major dam. From the monsoon's onset in the state on June 25 till July 18, the small and big dams have stored 59.71 per cent of their total storage capacity, the Water Resources Department said in a statement.
-with PTI inputs