Rain Fury Claims 88 Lives In Himachal, Evacuation Ops In Delhi As Yamuna Breaches Danger Mark. Top Points

Death toll due to rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana reached 18, with nearly 10,000 people evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib so far.

New Delhi: There was no let-up in the monsoon fury across North India on Wednesday, with 88 people losing their lives across Himachal Pradesh so far, while 16 more were reported missing and 100 injured as heavy rainfall continued to batter the state, news agency ANI reported. Death toll due to rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana reached 18, with nearly 10,000 people evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts so far.

Meanwhile, incessant rainfall in Delhi and surrounding areas, and release of water from Hathni Kund Barrage has led to a rise in water level of Yamuna and heightened the risk of flood-like conditions in low-lying areas in the vicinity of the river.

Here are the key updates:

• Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat informed him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, and this, in turn, will impact the water level in Yamuna in Delhi. However, he said it will take some time for the water level to recede. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal requested that "if possible, the water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed".


• In an emergency meeting chaired by CM Kejriwal, he said the reason behind the rise in Yamuna water level is the water coming from Haryana’s Hathnikund Barrage and Himachal Pradesh. He further urged the people living near the river to shift to safer locations as the water level is expected to rise further. The meeting was convened as the water level of Yamuna touched a record high of 207.89m on Wednesday.


• Delhi traffic police issued an advisory as the city reported waterlogging on parts of Ring Road, including on the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad. Waterlogging also led to traffic snarls between Chandgi Ram Akhada and Kashmere Gate, PTI reported.


• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rain in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh over the next two days, raising concerns over a further rise in water level in rivers.


• In the wake of heavy rainfall pounding Himachal Pradesh, large number of tourists have extended their stay in accommodations as 850 roads still remain blocked. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called the evacuation of stranded tourists from Chandertal in Lahaul and Spiti a "challenging task". About 300 people stranded in Chandertal since Saturday were airlifted from Chandertal to Bhunter on Tuesday. "Over 2,000 stranded individuals in Kasol have been successfully evacuated as of now. Our teams are working tirelessly to clear the Dunkhara landslide on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. District administration is on-site coordinating relief efforts. 2200+ vehicles have safely passed through Kullu, receiving food support at Ramshilla Chowk. I personally oversee the situation and remain committed to overcoming these challenges. Stay strong, Himachal Pradesh!," the chief minister tweeted.


• According to a PTI report, army and NDRF teams evacuated over 200 people from flood-affected Mand areas in Sultanpur Lodhi city of Punjab. Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Karnail Singh said the district administration has shifted 223 people to relief camps.