Monsoon rains continued to lash large parts of the country on Sunday with flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir; Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in Himachal Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department and local authorities said landslides and other rain-related problems were reported in Uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand remained the worst affected state among all states, as landslides and road closures swollen rivers and destroyed infrastructure in many areas, prompting the state administration to intensify emergency response measures.
At least 69 roads remained closed due to rain disturbances, while a woman was injured after a retaining wall collapsed in Dehradun. Five people escaped with minor injuries after their car fell into a ravine in Uttarkashi district.
Intermittent rainfall continued across the state on Sunday, the IMD said. Dividora in Champawat recorded the highest rainfall between 8.30am and 3pm with 7.5mm, followed by Ukhimath in Rudraprayag with 6mm. In the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Sunday, Uttarakhand received 14.4 mm of rainfall against the normal of 14.6 mm, a deficit of just 1%. Rain continued to lash several parts of Uttarakhand in the last 24 hours, with Mussoorie recording the highest rainfall of 75 mm, the IMD said.
According to the Public Works Department (PWD), of the 205 roads under surveillance across the state as of 9pm on Sunday, 178 roads have reopened and 27 remain completely closed.
Flash floods in Anantnag
Authorities have begun assessing the damage after overnight rain-triggered flash floods in a few villages in south Kashmir’s Anantnag caused severe damage to orchards, hotels and homes.
Officials said flash floods hit Awora-Pahalgam in Anantnag and its adjoining villages on Saturday evening after a cloud submerged the Awra stream. They said that the large, fast-moving current brought mud and silt in its wake, uprooting trees and electricity poles, and causing damage to orchards, agricultural lands, hotels, and homes built on the banks of the river.
A portion of the road connecting Awora to Halgam was also washed away, separating the village. Many vehicles were also damaged by mud and debris. About six hotels were affected by flash floods during the night, prompting local residents and authorities to shift tourists either to the upper floors of the hotels or to other areas.
IMD: Heavy rains likely in Himachal Pradesh
The Shimla IMD has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds likely over several areas during the next 24 hours.
According to the IMD, isolated heavy rain is very likely in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts, while light to moderate rain is expected at many places across the low hills, plains and central hill districts of the state. Light rain is also likely in isolated places in the higher areas.
The active monsoon will bring heavy rains over some districts of West Bengal till July 14, the IMD said on Sunday.
The institute said in a bulletin carried by the Press Trust of India: “The southern Himalayan regions of the state, which have been exposed to heavy rains over the past few days, are likely to witness heavy rainfall until July 14.”
