The ongoing southwest monsoon has caused significant disruption across various Indian states, with heavy rainfall leading to flooding, landslides, and school closures. On Thursday, more than ten individuals were confirmed dead due to rain-related incidents nationwide. Surat district in Gujarat reported 17 deaths attributed to the recent deluge, which has severely impacted the local infrastructure.

In the nation’s capital, Delhi experienced torrential rain that inundated various regions, uprooted trees, and resulted in considerable traffic congestion. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that some areas recorded over 160 millimetres of rainfall, prompting a yellow alert for Friday. Residents were warned of potential thunderstorms, lightning, and wind speeds reaching 30-40 km/h.

Uttarakhand is likely to face extremely heavy rainfall, especially in isolated locations, according to the IMD’s warnings. As a precautionary measure, schools in Rudraprayag district were closed due to swelling river levels, particularly the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, which authorities are closely monitoring.

Transportation and Local Activities Disrupted

The Char Dham Yatra has been adversely affected due to a landslide at Nalu Pani in Uttarkashi district, resulting in the blockage of the Gangotri Highway. Road-clearing teams have been deployed to restore access, though travel in the region remains significantly hampered.

Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, heavy rainfall disrupted daily life, leaving 75 roads blocked as of Thursday evening. The State Disaster Management Authority noted that 29 electricity transformers and five water supply schemes have also been impacted. Further rainfall is expected in the Shimla and Sirmaur districts, putting additional stress on local infrastructure.

The IMD has released a red alert for parts of western Uttar Pradesh, cautioning residents about heavy to extremely heavy rainfall anticipated for Friday. This wet spell is projected to persist in the state until July 11, with temperatures likely decreasing by 2-4 degrees Celsius.

Precautionary Measures and Ongoing Rescue Operations

In response to the red alert, local authorities ordered the closure of schools in districts such as Ghaziabad, Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Saharanpur, and Moradabad to ensure student safety during the inclement weather. Additionally, preparations for potential flooding in Prayagraj have been intensified, as river levels continue to rise from the sustained rainfall.

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma stated that while some rivers are nearing danger levels, others that typically prompt flooding remain stable. In Surat, recovery efforts are underway after 358 millimetres of rain fell in a single day, causing extensive flooding and necessitating evacuations. As floodwaters recede, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has visited the affected areas, instructing officials to devise long-term strategies to combat recurring flooding.

Rescue operations in Kerala have also intensified following a landslide in Wayanad earlier this week, which resulted in six fatalities. Search teams, supported by sniffer dogs, are continuing to seek two individuals who remain unaccounted for, although the persistent rain has complicated debris removal efforts.

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