Severe Monsoon Rains Devastate Northern India, Triggering Red Alerts
Impact of Heavy Rains in Northern India
Intense monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across various regions in Northern India. In Uttarakhand, a cloudburst resulted in the tragic deaths of two laborers, while in Himachal Pradesh, rising river levels and landslides have led to a red alert being issued due to the disruption of daily life. Officials reported that early Sunday morning, a cloudburst in Uttarkashi district caused landslides, claiming the lives of two construction workers and leaving seven others missing.
Government Response to Weather Warnings
In light of the heavy rainfall warning issued by the meteorological department, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed district commissioners in Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Solan to close schools on June 30. The updated warning from the weather department indicated that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in these districts until Monday evening, with additional rainfall anticipated in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Shimla.
Safety Measures for Students
Sukhu emphasized the need for student safety, instructing the closure of schools for the day. Following these directives, the district commissioner of Mandi, Apurva Devgan, announced a holiday for all government and private educational institutions, except for IIT-Mandi and other medical facilities, due to potential hazards from landslides and flooding. Similarly, the district commissioner of Kangra, Hemraj Bairwa, declared a holiday for all educational institutions, excluding residential ones.
Casualties and Infrastructure Damage
In the past 24 hours, three fatalities related to rain have been reported, bringing the total death toll in the state since the onset of the monsoon to 20. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) noted that one person drowned in both Una and Bilaspur districts, while another died from a fall in Shimla. Landslides along the Shimla-Kalka National Highway (NH-5) have damaged sections of the road, disrupting traffic.
Traffic Management Amidst Adverse Conditions
Gaurav Singh, the Superintendent of Police in Solan, stated that traffic has been restored near the Chakkimod area on NH-5, which had been obstructed by landslides. Efforts are ongoing to clear debris from the Jangeshu route, which is currently closed. Once cleared, traffic from Kasauli to Chandigarh will be redirected via Jangeshu.
Warnings and Alerts for Residents
The Shimla Meteorological Center has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall across ten districts in Himachal Pradesh. The department has warned of potential landslides, flooding, damage to weak structures, traffic jams, and disruptions to essential services. The state has faced significant losses due to heavy rains in 2023, with over 550 fatalities reported during the most severe monsoon disaster.
Train Services Disrupted
On the UNESCO World Heritage Shimla-Kalka railway line, rocks and trees have fallen onto the tracks near Koti, halting train services. Repair work is currently underway, with the first train of the day stranded at Koti station, while others have been stopped at Gumman and Kalka stations. Videos of frustrated passengers waiting for hours have surfaced online, highlighting the widespread impact of the rainfall.
Infrastructure Challenges and Flood Risks
In the industrial area of Badotiwala in Solan, a bridge connecting to the Himuda complex has been washed away, halting traffic towards Mandhala and Bagguwala. The Balad River in the Baddi region is swollen, posing a risk of damage to surrounding areas. In the Shivalik Nagar colony of Jhadmajri, approximately 20 homes have been inundated with up to four feet of water, a recurring issue during the rainy season.
Continued Weather Warnings
The local meteorological office has issued an orange alert for some areas of the state, predicting continued rainfall until July 5. Flood warnings have also been issued for parts of Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, and Una. According to the SEOC, since the monsoon began on June 20, rain-related incidents have resulted in 20 deaths and four individuals reported missing.
