New Delhi: Several regions across the country, including Gujarat and Assam, are facing the havoc of rain and floods. Heavy rain alerts have been issued for today across various parts of the nation, stretching from Uttarakhand to the Northeast, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, severe flooding in Assam has affected 763 villages across five districts, with the death toll from rain and floods reaching 68. Efforts are underway to bring the situation under control in Gujarat, where heavy rains have created a critical flood scenario; Ahmedabad has witnessed record-breaking rainfall, surpassing figures from the last 20 years.
Rain Alert for 14 States
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy rain alerts for several parts of the country today. Heavy rainfall is expected in isolated areas of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, as well as in parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Konkan, Goa, Central Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand. Regarding the Northeast, the IMD predicts heavy rain in specific areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, indicating that the monsoon will remain active across the entire region today.
Landslides in Jammu & Kashmir
Rain and flash floods have compounded difficulties for residents in several areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Heavy rainfall has caused rivers to swell in the Doda region of Jammu; the rising waters of the Chenab River have put numerous homes in Doda at risk of inundation. Terrified residents are appealing to the government for relocation. Amidst the heavy rain and flooding, landslides continue to occur in the mountainous terrain; the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed following a massive landslide in the Gangru area of the Ramsu block in Banihal. Authorities are currently working to clear debris and restore traffic on NH-44. Although the weather has cleared after six days of heavy rain, rivers, streams, and dams remain filled to capacity. Rivers in Spate in UP
Rivers in Uttar Pradesh are surging due to heavy rainfall in the hills. Water levels in ten rivers, including the Ganga and Yamuna, are rising rapidly. Four rivers, including the Ghaghara and Sharda, have crossed the danger mark, wreaking havoc in nearby villages. In Ballia, a house collapsed into the Ghaghara River due to erosion; the strong current washed away the soil beneath the foundation, causing the structure to crumble like a house of cards. The swelling of the Saryu River has created flood-like conditions in villages across Barabanki, Sitapur, Pilibhit, and Bahraich. The release of 2.44 lakh cusecs of water from the Sharda and Girja barrages has further raised the water level of the Saryu.
Waterlogging in Parts of Gujarat
Heavy rains have triggered flood-like conditions in several parts of Gujarat. In Ahmedabad, incessant heavy rainfall has caused significant disruption across the city. Normal life has been thrown out of gear in both urban and rural areas following the downpour. Severe waterlogging has been reported at the Bhavla and Santhal crossroads in Ahmedabad, while two to two-and-a-half feet of water has accumulated on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot Highway, forcing vehicles to crawl. The situation became so critical due to waterlogging that the NDRF, SDRF, Coast Guard, and Army had to be deployed to rescue over 900 workers stranded at the Gallops Industrial Park near the Ahmedabad-Rajkot Highway.
Over 5 Lakh People Affected in Assam
Flood conditions remain grim in Assam, bringing life to a standstill across large parts of the state. In the Sivasagar area, homes are submerged in murky floodwaters, and families have been forced to take shelter on tin roofs to save their lives. In Jorhat district, too, entire villages remain marooned, with agencies engaged in relief and rescue operations. The death toll from rains and floods in Assam has risen to 68. While over 700,000 people across ten districts were initially affected, more than 500,000 people across five districts remain impacted. The five districts where residents of 763 villages are still grappling with the flood crisis include Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nagaon, and Sivasagar. The Army, NDRF, SDRF, fire department teams, and local police are involved in relief and rescue efforts. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi spoke to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take stock of the flood situation in Assam.
