Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Life in North India, 12 Dead

Heavy rainfall and floods in the last phase of the monsoon have affected life in several states of North India. The Meteorological Department has warned that the situation may worsen in the coming days.

In Uttarakhand, the water level of Naini Lake has crossed 88 feet, forcing the administration to open channels to release excess water. 172 roads are closed in the state, and an orange alert has been issued in Nainital, Bageshwar, and Dehradun. Schools and Anganwadi centers have been closed in five districts. At Chitrashila Ghat in Haldwani, the strong flow of the Gaula River swept away bodies and burning funeral pyres brought for last rites. In the Kumaon division, 141 roads are blocked due to landslides and waterlogging.

The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall with thunder and lightning on September 3 in Dehradun, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar. The Almora district administration has ordered the closure of all government and private schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centers.

In Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, the Mandakini River is flowing about two meters above the danger mark. Around 400 shops and 20-25 hotels in the Ramghat area are submerged, while 36 villages have been put on alert. Heavy rainfall continues in the eastern Madhya Pradesh divisions of Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol, and Sagar. According to the Meteorological Department, a low-pressure area formed over northwestern Madhya Pradesh may intensify in the next 12 hours and move towards southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh.

In Bihar, the Ganga, Punpun, and several other major rivers are flowing above the danger mark, increasing the risk of floods. Many areas in the capital city Patna are waterlogged. Due to riverbank erosion in Bhagalpur, a nearly 100-year-old Durga temple has been submerged in the river. Two youths trapped in the fast-flowing waters of Manjhar Kund in Rohtas district were rescued safely after a two-hour operation.

In Uttar Pradesh, the situation has worsened due to rain and floods. A pit about 7 feet deep has formed on the Ganga Expressway in Unnao. Around 20,000 people have been affected by floods in Ballia. Two people died when a wall collapsed during heavy rain in Sitapur, while two minor girls drowned while bathing in the Ganga in Ghazipur.

The Meteorological Department has issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunder and lightning from September 3 to 8 in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, eastern Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, and West Bengal.

In Bihar, the Disaster Management Department has warned that the water level of the Ganga at Gandhi Ghat and Hatidah in Patna may cross the highest flood level recorded so far. Contact has been cut off on the Shamho-Suryagarha road in Begusarai due to waterlogging. One person died due to drowning in floodwaters in Khagaria. The Ganga is in spate in the Raghopur area of Navgachia subdivision in Bhagalpur.

The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall in West Champaran, East Champaran, Siwan, Saran, and Gopalganj. Due to flood risk in Bihar, disaster management has advised people to stay away from rivers, ghats, and embankments. Rainfall occurred in five districts including Nalanda, Rohtas, and Khagaria. Dark clouds covered many districts including Patna, but sunshine appeared during the day. Kaimur district was the hottest at 36.1 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature will remain between 32 and 38 degrees Celsius for the next few days.