Disrupts rail, road and air services; flash floods in J&K, Himachal
New Delhi: The monsoon unleashed widespread destruction across India on Monday, claiming lives in Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh, disrupting rail, road and air services, triggering flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir; and inundating towns in Odisha as authorities in several states stepped up emergency measures with predictions of more heavy rainfall.
Emerging as the epicentre of the crisis, Maharashtra reported three fresh rain-related deaths in Pune, taking the state’s toll to 13 over the last three to four days. Himachal Pradesh reported the death of a 14-year-old girl in a shooting stone incident on Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad, warning of more heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds.
Relentless rain brought Mumbai and neighbouring districts to a near standstill. Roads were submerged, trees uprooted and several incidents of wall and billboard collapses were reported.
The newly inaugurated ‘Missing Link’ section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway failed its first major monsoon test after a concrete pillar fell on the carriageway, forcing authorities to shut both the expressway and stretches of the old Mumbai-Pune highway following landslides and flooding.
Both houses of the Maharashtra legislature were adjourned amid the heavy rainfall. The Bombay High Court also assured lawyers that no adverse orders would be passed if they were unable to reach court because of the weather.
In Himachal Pradesh, heavy overnight rain triggered flash floods, landslides and road blockades while claiming the life of a 14-year-old girl.
Flash floods blocked the Chamba-Tissa road in Chamba district and disrupted traffic on the Larji-Sainj road in Kullu district. Floodwaters also damaged roads, playgrounds, footbridges and agricultural fields in Shimla district.
The IMD issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain in Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Solan districts on Tuesday.
In Jammu and Kashmir, incessant overnight rain triggered flash floods that damaged the Doda-Kishtwar highway, disrupted traffic and buried several vehicles near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar district.
Mud, rocks and debris in large quantities were deposited on the highway, forcing traffic suspension, while heavy machinery, trucks and construction equipment at the project site were trapped under debris. No casualties were reported in the flash floods.
Odisha remained on statewide alert as incessant rain continued for the third straight day under the influence of a depression over the region. The IMD warned of more heavy to very heavy rainfall through Tuesday and advised fishermen against venturing into the sea.
Schools and colleges remained closed in several districts, including Cuttack, Sambalpur, Kandhamal, Bargarh and Sonepur.
Twelve places in the state recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall during the previous 24 hours, with Sonepur receiving the highest 328.4 mm. The coastal state reported waterlogging, uprooted trees and damage to roads and bridges.
In Arunachal Pradesh, contrasting weather conditions prevailed with heavy rain continuing across eastern districts while the state capital region reeled under intense heat.
Alert for heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Namsai and Lohit districts have been issued, while the Itanagar Capital Region administration issued a heat-wave advisory.
