New Delhi: Heavy rainfall has created a havoc in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, crippling lives of many people in the valley. While the flood situation in Assam has deteriorated with nearly 50,000 people been affected badly in the area. On the other hand, Mumbai was crippled for the second time in less than a month after a section of a foot overbridge (FOB) crashed over the Western Railway (WR) tracks at Andheri following Tuesday's heavy rains which left many areas of the city flooded, playing havoc with road and rail traffic.


Not just India, but the neighbouring country Pakistan is also badly hit by the monsoon this year. A total of 14 people have reportedly lost their lives due heavy rain in the country.

Assam

The flood scenario in Assam continued to remain grim on Wednesday. The overall flood situation in the state deteriorated yesterday with nearly 50,000 people reeling under the deluge in five districts of the state. As per the report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 40,900 people are affected at present in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Barpeta, Dibrugarh and Karimganj districts. The death toll in the flood stood at 32 with no fresh casualty being reported.

Currently, the Brahmaputra river at Nimatighat in Jorhat, Jia Bharali river at NT Road Crossing in Sonitpur and Puthimari at NH Road Crossing in Kamrup are flowing above the danger mark.

Jammu and Kashmir

Poonch and Rajouri
Life has been highly affected in the valley due to heavy rainfall for last three days. Heavy rainfall has been predicted by the Indian Meteorological Department in Poonch and Rajouri areas. IMD has issued a flood warning. The Poonch Deputy Commissioner was quoted as saying that a Weather advisory has been issued and they are monitoring the water level in rivers. The commissioner requested people in low lying areas to be alert and asserted that they are prepared for all situations.

Last month, three people were killed in Kashmir valley due to incessant rains, following which the Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra had also called for an emergency meeting to discuss the flood-like situation in the state last week.

Udhampur
Four persons, including two minors, trapped in flash floods, were rescued by police in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Wednesday. Two women, along with their children, were crossing Ghordi nallah when suddenly flash floods occurred in the rivulet yesterday, a police official said.

Amarnath Yatra
Meanwhile, heavy rain has continued to lash Jammu & Kashmir's Srinagar. Amarnath Yatra has currently been halted along both Baltal and Pahalgam routes due to heavy rainfall in the region.

Uttarakhand

According to the MeT Department, heavy rainfall is expected for 4-5 days after July 8 and 9. The department reported that they are giving regular alerts to the government so that they can prepare for the conditions. Hilly areas like Pithoragarh, Nainital & Pauri will get good rains in upcoming days, the department said.

Gujarat

The state of Gujarat has been submerged in water as heavy rain lashed the state.


Pakistan

At least 14 people were killed and 19 others injured as torrential rains wreaked havoc in Pakistan's Punjab and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, as per the report. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a statement Wednesday that the heavy downpour started hitting the country on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday.

The NDMA said that several low-lying areas have been inundated by the rains as water ponding at different areas of Punjab was reported and rescue work is underway to clear the standing water by the provincial disaster management authority. The authority said the current wet spell is expected to subside from Thursday.

Stars rue lack of preparedness for Mumbai monsoon

Celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, Atul Kasbekar and Annup Sonii have slammed the authorities for lack of preparedness for monsoon in Mumbai, and say that the city needs better infrastructure. Akhtar took to Twitter and wrote, "Farhan Akhtar: Andheri bridge collapse is yet another reminder of how pathetic Mumbai's infrastructure is. For a city that gives so much to the exchequer, we deserve better, if not best. #Shame" While, Annup Sonii said, "It's a very sad state of affairs...We need to stop making a joke about it and taking it so lightly, only then will the authorities take us, the Mumbaikars and the situation seriously."

Rainfall prediction for today

In the latest weather update, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in large parts of India, including several places in Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Gujarat, over the next few days. As per the report by Skymet Weather Services, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over West Bengal, Odisha and adjoining Jharkhand today. Northeastern states such as Sikkim, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh would too record heavy rains.

(With inputs from agencies)