The scenario of incessant heavy rains continues across various regions of the country. Incidents related to rain are being reported from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. While some areas are facing severe waterlogging disrupting daily life, others have suffered damage to life and property due to the deluge.
In the capital city of Delhi, Friday brought significant rainfall to several areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'Yellow Alert' for Delhi and its surrounding regions, indicating a need for caution. According to their 'Nowcast,' light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning at speeds of 30-50 km/h, is expected in Delhi-NCR in the next few hours.
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 23.6°C and is expected to have a maximum around 35°C. The relative humidity at 8:30 AM was noted at 80%. The good news is the air quality remained 'satisfactory,' with an Air Quality Index of 61.
Orange Alert Issued in Himachal Pradesh as 250 Roads Remain Closed
Himachal Pradesh continues to battle heavy rainfall. The monsoon season has claimed 112 lives so far, including 67 incidents related to rain and 45 road mishaps. The state has recorded 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 19 landslide occurrences, causing damage exceeding Rs 1,220 crore.
According to the State Disaster Management Center, as of Friday morning, 181 roads in Mandi, 26 in Sirmaur, and 23 in Kullu remained shut. Additionally, 61 drinking water schemes and 81 electricity transformers were affected. The weather department has issued an Orange Alert for July 21 and 22 and forecasts heavy rainfall from July 20 to 24. Areas including Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, and Kangra are anticipated to be significantly impacted.
Flood-like Situation in Several Areas of Rajasthan
Intense rainfall in Rajasthan led to flood-like conditions in several districts on Friday. Cities like Ajmer, Pushkar, and Kota experienced significant waterlogging. The main market in Pushkar saw shops and homes inundated, with several vehicles seen floating on the roads. Schools in Ajmer district had to declare holidays due to the heavy rains. The gates of Kota Barrage were opened. The meteorological department has issued a 'Red Alert' for Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bundi, Kota, Tonk, and Pali, while 'Orange Alerts' have been issued for Baran, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar, and Udaipur, and 'Yellow Alerts' for Jaipur, Sikar, Banswara, Jalore, and others.
School Roof Collapse in Jharkhand, One Dead, Three Injured
In Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, continuous rainfall led to a tragic incident on Friday morning at 7:30 AM. A part of the roof of a government school in the crowded Tangra Toli area of Piska Mod collapsed. This accident resulted in the death of one, identified as 65-year-old Suraj Baitha, who was sleeping in the school's corridor when the roof portion fell. Three others, Manish Tirkey, Preetam Tirkey, and Motu Oraon, aged between 18-19, were injured. The school had been closed for a long time and had deteriorated due to neglect. From June 1 to July 16, the state witnessed 71% excess rainfall compared to normal.
Amaranth Yatra Resumes After a Day of Suspension Due to Rain
The Amarnath Pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir resumed on Friday after a day-long suspension due to heavy rainfall, which had led to landslides and rockfalls at multiple locations. On Friday, a new batch of pilgrims set off from the Nunwan and Baltal base camps towards the sacred cave. Since its commencement on July 3, more than 2.5 lakh devotees have had the privilege to witness Baba Barfani. This 38-day pilgrimage will culminate on August 9.
