The devastation caused by floods and rains is evident in every corner of the country. From Uttarakhand, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, to Delhi and Maharashtra... torrents are everywhere. The disaster, triggered by cloudbursts, landslides, and raging rivers, has claimed many lives, left many missing, and forced thousands into displacement. While the Army, NDRF, and local administrations are engaged in relief operations, nature's fury shows no signs of abating, creating widespread fear and chaos.
In Punjab, heavy rains and waters flowing in from Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir have swollen the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi Rivers. Districts like Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar are severely affected. Among these, Gurdaspur faces the most dire situation. Thanks to combined efforts by the NDRF, Army, BSF, and district administration, 11,330 people have been relocated to safety so far. Relentless efforts for relief and rescue continue at a brisk pace.
Severe Damage to Apple Crops in Himachal
Himachal Pradesh has been hit hard by cloudbursts and landslides. In areas like Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, and Bharmour, roads are blocked, leaving travelers stranded. Massive boulders on the Tissa road in Chamba have brought traffic to a standstill. Landslides in Basantpur, Shimla, have blanketed roads with debris, while in Bagaan village, Kullu, the foundations of 35 houses are shaken and 10 houses have collapsed entirely. Torrential streams on the path to Manimahesh have forced people to cross using ropes. The apple crops have suffered significantly, devastating farmers' livelihoods.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the affected areas, instructing immediate relief measures. Rapid work is underway to restore the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway.
Jammu & Kashmir Endures Landslide Catastrophe
Jammu & Kashmir is also reeling from severe conditions. A massive landslide near Ramban on NH-44 blocked the flow of the Bichlari River, elevating the risk of flooding in nearby villages.
Flash floods in Udhampur have cut off the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Cloudbursts in Gurez and Reasi have caused debris accumulation and damaged several bridges. The Army's Tiger Division constructed a 110-foot Bailey bridge over the Tawi River in just 12 hours, restoring traffic flow. So far, 30 people have been moved to safer locations.
Cloudburst Havoc in Uttarakhand
The monsoon in Uttarakhand has been merciless. Cloudbursts in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, and Tehri have left many missing and claimed several lives. Over 65 homes have been engulfed by landslides. In Dharchula, landslides in Pithoragarh have blocked the Darma Valley road. The Joshimath-Malari National Highway in Chamoli has been closed for 48 hours, with locals ferrying the sick through damaged roads. The Alaknanda River is above the danger mark in Srinagar and Dhari Devi areas. Land fissures in Nanda Nagar Ghat have marred fields and buildings, forcing 26 families to relocate.
There is equal devastation among animals due to the floods. A video showing a leopard struggling in the canal currents in Ramnagar has gone viral, showing the leopard completely unable to navigate through the torrents.
Source: aajtak
The Ferocious Yamuna in Delhi
Continuous rainfall in the mountains has begun affecting the plains. In Delhi, the Yamuna's water level has breached the danger mark. The gates of Okhla Barrage have been opened, leading to a heavy flow in Kalindi Kunj Ghat.
The Roaring Waterfall in Sautada
In Maharashtra's Beed, renowned as Mini Mahabaleshwar, the waterfall on the Vincharna River in Sautada is at its peak. Persistent rains over the past fifteen days have transformed the stream into a ferocious waterfall, drawing visitors to witness its might.
