Rain News Live Updates:Rain fury in north India; several killed, schools shut, WFH in some cities

Shahdara district police on Sunday visited the Yamuna floodplains and alerted the residents about the rising water level.The police also urged local residents to shift to a safer place amid the rising levels of the Yamuna."We are here to inform you all that the level of Yamuna has risen due to heavy rainfall. You all requested to vacate the area and move to a safer place," a police officer told residents living by the Yamuna banks.

Home minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and the lieutenant governors of Delhi and J&K on Sunday and assured all help from the Centre after heavy rains wreaked havoc in the last 24 hours. Shah assured them of all help in tackling the situation and took updates on the losses due to the rains.Rain lashed many areas of northwest India over the past two days. Delhi experienced the highest rainfall in a single day in July since 1982, with 153 mm recorded in a 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Sunday. Several regions in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Haryana, UP, Madhya Pradesh, coastal Karnataka and Gujarat also witnessed substantial rainfall. The Central Water Commission has warned that the water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is rising and is expected to surpass the danger mark of 205.3 metres by Tuesday. In view of heavy rains in the national capital, the home minister also spoke to Delhi lieutenant governor V K Saxena and took updates.

Rain water entered houses in Kota Colony of Gurugram on Sunday even as the administration came to the rescue of the residents by providing them with food and drinking water.Torrential rains on Sunday caused waterlogging at many places in Gurugram, and Kota Colony of Badshahpur was submerged in a way. People living in the area were inconvenienced.The district Red Cross Society formed a special team after getting to know about the colony.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud assured that the Supreme Court will not pass any adverse order on Monday in the absence of any advocate due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in the national capital.CJI DY Chandrachud stated as much after considering the requests of the Supreme Court Bar Association and Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association.

Numerous states in India experienced an intense spell of monsoon rain, resulting in significant damage, loss of life, and property across the country.In the northwestern Himalayan region, landslides blocked several roads, leaving people stranded. The rising water levels in the Beas River caused landslides and flash floods in various districts, leading to tragic loss of lives.In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rainfall continued to batter almost all districts, triggering landslides and flash floods.

The Pragati Maidan tunnel was closed on Sunday for traffic due to waterlogging while the Minto Road bridge was shut for nearly two hours due to the incessant rain pounding the national capital, said a government official.

The Public Works Department (PWD) received 100 calls reporting waterlogging from several areas throughout the day, the official said.(PTI)

Torrential rains pounded several parts of north India on Sunday with 19 people killed in landslides and other rain-related incidents, while most rivers, including the Yamuna in Delhi, were in spate. In cities and towns across the region, many roads and residential areas were submerged in knee-deep water with the civic system unable to hold on in the face of record rains. Frightening images of the chaos unleashed by the rains — vehicles floating like paper boats on inundated roads, muddy waters gushing into residential areas, temples and other structures submerged on the banks by the swollen rivers and land cave-ins — were shared online by people from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, among other places. (PTI)

Delhi BJP leaders on Sunday slammed the Kejriwal government over waterlogging in the city for the second consecutive day after heavy rains and demanded resignation of PWD minister Atishi.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said it is "shameful" that even as entire Delhi is flooded and people are experiencing hardships, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chose to go to Haryana for "political campaigning".

Sachdeva was referring to Kejriwal's visit to Haryana's Panchkula where he launched the AAP's "Bijli Andolan" in the state.

The BJP leader, who directed party councilors and workers to deal with waterlogging problems in their areas and help people, alleged that there was a "scam" in desilting of drains that caused flooding on the roads and streets.

The BJP will protest at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office on Monday in protest against the "scam", Sachdeva said. (PTI)

The diplomatic enclave housing foreign missions in Chanakyapuri and other areas housing VIPs were inundated as the national capital on Sunday witnessed unprecedented rain, shattering a 41-year record. Due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in various areas of the national capital, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has advised senior bureaucrats residing on the ground floors to relocate to safer places as a precautionary measure. (ANI)

Officials have announced the closure of all schools in Delhi and the adjoining NCR cities of Gurugram and Noida on Monday due to heavy rainfall in the region. The torrential rains, which began on Saturday, have caused waterlogging, flash floods, house collapses, and unfortunate loss of life in various parts of north and northwest India, including the national capital region.

Two soldiers were among five people killed as incessant rains and unseasonal snowfall lashed a large part of Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir for the third consecutive day on Sunday, officials said.

With water bodies swollen, the meteorological department issued a red alert for Monday for certain parts of the Jammu region and Ladakh, while residents in dozens of lower catchment areas in the Jammu region were evacuated to safety as a precautionary measure.

The body of a junior commissioned officer (JCO) was retrieved from a stream in the Poshana area of Surankote late Saturday evening, while the body of a second soldier was found this morning as the water level started receding in the district. (PTI)

Despite the heavy downpour in the national capital and adjoining area, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials are working tirelessly to drain out the rainwater to prevent the waterlogging in its area.

As many as seven complaints of waterlogging were received from the Connaught Place, Purana Qila Road, and Mahadev Road areas of New Delhi. The same was promptly attended by the concerned, dedicated teams of the NDMC.

The Team Horticulture of NDMC has received six complaints of fallen trees and were attended to immediately for removal of the fallen trees and branches at Gol Dak Khana, Maulana Azad Road, Firozashah Road, Bharti Nagar, Tilak Marg, Khan Market, and Rabindra Nagar in area. (ANI)

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said the water level of the Kaushalya Dam had risen "significantly" due to heavy rains and 4,000 cusecs of water were being released, reported new agency PTI.

Khattar was visiting the dam to assess the situation along with senior government officials, including Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Soni.

Heavy rainfall has been occurring for the past two days and as a result of this, the water level of the Kaushalya Dam has risen "significantly", he said.

To manage the increased water level, the dam's gates have been opened, and 4,000 cusecs of water are being released, the chief minister said.

Uttar Pradesh recorded widespread excess rainfall on Sunday, causing a rise in river water levels, hitting traffic movement in cities, and inundating farms in rural pockets. Of the 75 districts in the state, rainfall was witnessed in around 68 districts, according to Indian Metrological Department (IMD) data.

During the past 24 hours till 12 pm, Uttar Pradesh recorded an average rainfall of 1.3 cm -- 56 per cent higher than normal and categorised as "excess" rainfall -- the weather data showed.

The districts in western Uttar Pradesh adjoining Delhi and Uttarakhand, particularly Meerut zone, received more rainfall than those in the central and eastern parts of the state. The rains were followed by cloudy skies.

Owing to the heavy downpour, the water level rose in the rivers flowing through the state, including Ganga, Ramganga, Yamuna and Rapti, the MeT said. (PTI)

Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained suspended for the second day on Sunday as authorities stepped up efforts to restore the road amid improved weather conditions, officials said. The 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was closed for traffic on Saturday following heavy rains overnight that triggered multiple landslides and also washed away a portion of nearly 40-metre road stretch near Panthiyal tunnel in Ramban district. The closure of the highway left over 3,500 vehicles, including those carrying Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu to Kashmir, stranded at different places. (PTI)

Torrential rains pounded several parts of north India on Sunday with 15 people killed in landslides and other rain-related incidents, while most rivers, including the Yamuna in Delhi, were in spate.

In cities and towns across the region, many roads and residential areas were submerged in knee-deep water with the civic system unable to hold on in the face of record rains. Flash floods washed away roads in hilly areas, leaving people marooned, while authorities asked tourists to plan their visit after the weather improves.

In three sperate incidents of landslides in Himachal Pradesh, where a red alert of extremely heavy rains has been issued for seven districts, five people were killed.

Three members of a family were killed in a house collapse following a landslide in Shimla district's Kotgarh area, while one death each was reported from Kullu and Chamba districts.
In the Kashipur area of the state, two houses collapsed killing a couple and injuring their granddaughter.

Two persons were also killed in Jammu and Kashmir after a landslide hit a passenger bus in Doda district.

Bodies of two soldiers, who were swept away by flash floods while crossing the Dogra Nallah on Saturday, were recovered in Poonch district of the Union Territory. (PTI)

The Delhi government issued a flood warning on Sunday after Haryana discharged more than one lakh cusecs of water into the Yamuna river from the HathniKund Barrage in Yamunanagar.

"The first warning is being issued as 1,05,453 cusecs of water have been released into river Yamuna from Hathnikund barrage at 4pm," the Irrigation and Flood Control department said in an order.
Officials have been instructed to remain vigilant and take necessary measures in vulnerable areas. Quick response teams have also been deployed to raise awareness and warn the people residing within the river embankments.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) warned that the water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is rising and is expected to surpass the danger mark of 205.33 metres on Tuesday.

According to the CWC's flood-monitoring portal, the water level in the Yamuna at the Old Railway Bridge stood at 203.18 metres at 1 pm on Sunday. The warning level is 204.5 metres. (PTI)

After a boundary wall of a government school collapsed here following heavy rains, Delhi minister Atishi directed senior officials of the education department, principals and vice-principals to conduct a physical inspection of all government schools on Sunday.

In case of any deficiencies or serious problem is found, the school should be cordoned off to avoid any mishap, according to a statement from the education minister's office.

“It has been directed to all regional directors, deputy director of education - zones and district, principals and vice-principals that they conduct a physical inspection of all the government schools under their jurisdiction on Sunday itself and ensure that on the opening of schools tomorrow there are no such deficiencies are found which may cause problems for the security of the school children,” the statement said. (PTI)

All the schools in Delhi will remain closed on Monday in view of the incessant rain in the national capital, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced. Delhi recorded 153 mm rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30am on Sunday, the highest in a single day in July since 1982, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. An interaction between a Western Disturbance and monsoonal winds is leading to an intense rainfall spell over northwest India, including Delhi, which experienced the season's first "very heavy" rainfall on Saturday. "In view of the torrential rains in the last two days and keeping in mind the warnings of the meteorological department, all schools will remain closed on Monday," Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

A 60-year-old worker was electrocuted while working in the kitchen of a cafe in east Delhi's Preet Vihar area, police said on Sunday. Satender Negi, a resident of Mandawali, got electrocuted apparently by a geyser power board in the kitchen while keeping utensils in the rack at the cafe, they said.Negi, who worked as a peon at the cafe in Block A of Preet Vihar, was rushed to Metro Hospital where he was declared brought dead, they said.Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Amrutha Guguloth said the spot was inspected by the crime team and a case under section 304 A (causing death due to negligence) has been registered against unknown persons at Preet Vihar police station and an investigation is being carried out.In another incident, 28-year-old Mahipat, a resident of Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh got electrocuted at a sweet shop in east Delhi's Shakarpur area on Saturday, police said. (PTI)

One person has been rescued, and another is trapped under debris after trees fell on a house in Shimla following inclement weather in Himachal Pradesh. A rescue operation is underway, reported news agency ANI.

Incessant rains and landslides in Uttarakhand claimed five lives on Sunday and authorities in the hill state have sounded a red alert as water level was rising in all major rivers, including the Ganga, amid a forecast of more heavy showers in the next two days In view of the inclement weather, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami urged the people to avoid unnecessary movement and has requested pilgrims coming to the state to plan their journey only after getting the latest weather information to avoid inconvenience.In a tweet, he said he has directed the administration to remain on 'red alert' mode to deal with any kind of situation.Several roads were blocked due to landslides, affecting normal life as well as hindering the Char Dham pilgrimage for which lakhs of people visit the state. The water level of major rivers of the state including Ganga was rising, officials said.A jeep carrying 11 pilgrims from Kedarnath fell into the river Ganga in the Muni ki Reti area of ​​Tehri Garhwal district . State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Inspector Kavindra Sajwan said that with the help of divers, five people wee rescued and the bodies of three pilgrims were recovered. A search operation is on for the other three missing people.The passengers were residents of Delhi, Bihar and Hyderabad. (PTI)

In view of the incessant rain, Gurugram deputy commissioner of Nishant Kumar Yadav on Sunday issued an advisory to private institutions and corporate offices to guide their employees to Work From Home (WFH) on Monday to avoid traffic congestion on roads, reported news agency IANS.

“This will also help the civic agencies to take up dewatering and repair works expeditiously. We also advised the resident not to step outside unnecessarily due to rain,” Yadav said.

eavy monsoon rains in several parts of Punjab and Haryana on Sunday led to massive waterlogging in low-lying areas, prompting authorities to swing into action in the worst-hit places. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed cabinet ministers, deputy commissioners, senior superintendents of police and other officials concerned to visit the affected areas and provide the required assistance to people.

"It has been raining heavily in Punjab for the last 2 days, due to which people are facing difficulties in the low-lying areas and especially in the areas along the rivers...," Mann tweeted in Punjabi. (PTI)

In view of incessant rains in the national capital, Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi LG and took stock of the situation. Shah also spoke to J&K LG Manoj Sinha and took updates from him on Amarnath Yatra which has been suspended due to heavy rains.

The bountiful rains in many parts of India in the first eight days of July have bridged the rainfall deficit for the entire country, according to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) data. The cumulative rainfall in the monsoon season has reached 243.2 mm, which is 2 per cent above the normal of 239.1 mm.

However, there are large-scale regional variations in rainfall.

While the eastern and northeastern region has recorded a deficiency of 17 per cent (375.3 mm against a normal of 454 mm), north India has witnessed 59 per cent excess rainfall (199.7 mm against a normal of 125.5 per cent), the latest IMD data showed.

Central India, where a large number of farmers rely on monsoonal rains, has recorded 264.9 mm rainfall against a normal of 255.1 mm, an excess of 4 per cent. (PTI)