Monsoon 2024: Incessant rainfall across various parts of India has led to disruption, with areas grappling with waterlogging, landslides, and even flash floods. From the flooded streets of Delhi to the landslide-hit roads of Himachal Pradesh, the downpour has significantly impacted daily life. 


Delhi


Heavy rainfall in the national capital, Delhi, has led to severe waterlogging in several areas, disrupting daily life. Visuals from Najafgarh in West Delhi depict severe waterlogging on roads, causing significant difficulties for commuters.


Najafgarh Market President Harendra Singhal, told news agency IANS, "Whenever it rains, the situation here worsens like this. The shopkeepers suffer losses worth millions because their goods get soaked and ruined by the rainwater due to the lack of proper drainage facilities. This is why the situation is so dire. The Delhi government seems completely indifferent and doesn't care at all..."






Noida also witnessed waterlogging following the downpour.






Meanwhile, residents of Rohini Sector 23 were seen engaging in outdoor activities despite the rain, news agency ANI reported. 


The IMD's Regional Centre in New Delhi also forecast moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning across various parts of Haryana, including Rajaund, Assandh, Jind, Gohana, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, as well as Kotputli, Alwar, and Viratnagar in Rajasthan, ANI reported.


Himachal Pradesh


In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rains over the past two days have triggered landslides and flash floods, leading to the closure of over 280 roads across the state, with 150 roads being shut on Saturday alone, news agency PTI reported. Officials reported that water from overflowing streams has inundated several homes in Una. The Lahaul and Spiti police issued an advisory urging residents and travellers to exercise extreme caution, particularly advising against crossing the rapidly rising Jahalman Nallah.


Rescue operations are ongoing to locate around 30 people who went missing after the flash floods on July 31 in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 27, more than 100 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, and the state has suffered damages amounting to approximately ₹842 crore as of August 9, PTI's report stated.


State emergency operation centre data revealed that 96 roads remain closed in Mandi, 76 in Shimla, 37 in Kullu, 33 in Sirmaur, 26 in Chamba, seven in Lahaul and Spiti, five in Hamirpur, and four each in Kangra and Kinnaur, the report mentioned. Kinnaur district has been cut off from the state capital, Shimla, due to flash floods between Pooh and Kaurik, and a landslide on National Highway 5 near Negulsari. Additionally, 458 power and 48 water supply schemes have been disrupted across the state.


The regional meteorological office issued an 'orange' alert on Sunday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas across five districts, including Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, and Una. The MeT office also cautioned about the possibility of low to moderate flash flood risks in parts of Chamba, Hamirpur, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla. It advised that plantations, crops, vulnerable structures, and 'kutcha' houses could face damage due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas.


The state has recorded a 28% rainfall deficit since the monsoon began on June 1, with Himachal Pradesh receiving 328.8 mm of rain against an average of 455.5 mm, as per the report.


Punjab and Haryana


In Punjab and Haryana, the recent rainfall has brought some relief from the humid weather. Several regions, including Mohali, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Rupnagar, and Ambala, experienced rainfall. Pathankot received 82 mm of rainfall, Gurdaspur 68.8 mm, and Amritsar 57.6 mm in the last 24 hours leading up to 8:30 am on Sunday. In Haryana, Ambala recorded 83.8 mm of rainfall, Karnal 36.8 mm, Sirsa 20 mm, and Hisar 6 mm during the same period. Chandigarh, the common capital of both states, received 28.8 mm of rainfall.






However, the waterlogging woes persisted amid the relief from humidity. Earlier in the day, heavy rainfall in Ambala, Haryana, caused waterlogging, further complicating the situation for the residents. Commuters were spotted navigating through waterlogged streets as the rain continued to lash the city.


The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by moderate rain in parts of Kurukshetra, Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Panchkula. "ThunderstormLightning with Moderate Rain very likely over parts of Palwal, Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar," the IMD Chandigarh posted on X (formerly Twitter).


According to the IMD, Haryana is expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall until August 14. In a press release, the IMD stated, "Fairly widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh during 10th-16th August; Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, West Uttar Pradesh on 10th, 11th & during 14th-16th August; Punjab on 10th & 11th; Haryana-Chandigarh during 10th, 11th & 14th August."


Kerala


In Kerala, after a brief lull, several places experienced intermittent rains on Saturday, with the IMD predicting very heavy rainfall in multiple districts in the coming days. Northern districts like Palakkad and Malappuram were placed under an Orange alert on Sunday, with similar alerts issued for Pathanamthitta and Idukki for August 12, and for Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Palakkad, and Malappuram on August 13. An Orange alert indicates the likelihood of very heavy rain, ranging from 11 cm to 20 cm.


The IMD also forecasted heavy rainfall in Idukki, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts on Sunday. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution, especially those living in dilapidated houses, advising them to relocate to safer areas. Warnings were also issued against crossing rivers or other water bodies or bathing in them during the heavy rains.