Uttarakhand, Himachal Cloudburst Highlights: 10 dead as heavy rains batter Kedarnath

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey today of the areas in Rudraprayag district affected by heavy rains.

Around 571 Kedarnath pilgrims trapped between Sonprayag and Gaurikund have been rescued following a cloudburst that caused significant damage in the region. Approximately 1,500 pilgrims remain trapped due to landslides about 2 km from Sonprayag. Choppers have been used to evacuate those stuck between Gaurikund and Kedarnath.

On X, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed his sorrow over the deaths and disappearances caused by the cloudburst and heavy rains in Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu.

He conveyed his deepest sympathies to the affected families. Gandhi reported that he has spoken with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who is personally visiting the impacted areas.

Meanwhile, the NDRF, SDRF, and state administration are actively involved in relief and rescue efforts. Gandhi expressed hope that all missing persons will be found soon.

An advisory has been issued for pilgrims heading to Kedarnath, advising them to postpone their journey until the road is restored. Fresh registrations for the Chardham yatra have been put on hold temporarily.

In the wake of heavy rains and a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh, PM Narendra Modi has directed top officials to ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected areas. Relief operations are underway.

Amid heavy downpours and a cloudburst in Uttarakhand, several roads in Rudraprayag were washed away due to river erosion and hill cracking, causing significant trouble for travelers and commuters.

In a post on X, the Rudraprayag Police warned residents and commuters to limit their movements near the Sonprayag main market. A large part of the road there has been washed out due to river erosion and hill cracking.

Read more: Several roads washed out in Rudraprayag, Pilgrims asked to postpone Kedarnath Dham Yatra

Three people were electrocuted after coming into contact with electric wires under a tree near IFFCO Chowk Metro Station, police said Thursday. The incident occurred late Wednesday night following heavy rainfall in the area. The victims, who were employed at private companies, were on their way home from the office when the incident happened, police added.

Cloudbursts hit various areas in Himachal Pradesh, causing significant damage. In Bagipul of Nirmand block, 8-9 houses were washed away, and seven people are missing, said Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S. Ravish. Rescue teams have been deployed. In Samej, three people are missing, and 3-4 houses are damaged.

India recorded nine percent more rainfall than normal in July, with the central region receiving 33 percent excess rain, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Addressing a press conference, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra noted that central India, which heavily relies on monsoon rainfall for agriculture, has been experiencing good rainfall for the third consecutive monsoon season, benefiting agriculture. However, IMD data also revealed significant rainfall deficits in east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, and parts of the northeast.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rain in Odisha on August 1 and 2. A yellow warning has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) in one or two locations across Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Boudh, Sonepur, and Sambalpur districts. Additionally, heavy rainfall (7 to 11 cm) is expected in parts of Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, Nayagarh, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Kalahandi districts.

Rains lashed many parts of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday, providing a welcome respite from the humid weather. The downpour caused minimum temperatures in both states to fall by two to four degrees below normal, according to the meteorological department. Areas such as Moga, Tarn Taran, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Faridkot, and Ambala experienced rainfall. In Bathinda, Faridkot, and Moga, waterlogging was reported. Pathankot received 157.2 mm of rain, Amritsar 90.2 mm, Patiala 31.6 mm, and Gurdaspur 40.7 mm in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am, according to the meteorological department report.

The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other agencies are working together to construct a temporary bridge in landslide-hit Wayanad, as relief and rescue operations are being carried out with urgency in the region.

In Delhi, a wall of a private school in Daryaganj collapsed last night due to heavy rainfall, causing damage to vehicles parked in the surrounding area.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has provided an update on the cloudburst in Shimla’s Samej Khad area. He reported that the cloudburst occurred around 4:40 a.m. and stated that approximately 50 people are missing, with 2 bodies recovered so far. Additionally, he warned that heavy rain is expected in the next 36 hours and assured that DC, SDRF, and NDRF teams are already on-site, with the Union Home Minister having been informed of the situation.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that he has deployed rescue teams, including NDRF, SDRF, and officials, and sought help from the army and Air Force. The Union Home Minister has assured additional support, with two more NDRF teams being sent. The CM has also spoken to top leaders, including the Prime Minister and Congress leaders, and assured that the situation is under control, but roads and infrastructure have been damaged, with Manali losing connectivity.

Three people including a child were trapped inside basements after water entered two houses at Dhwajnagar in Jaipur, rescue operations are currently underway.

“Today morning we received the information, when we reached the spot, there was 30 feet water here…currently we are reducing the water and then we will go inside and start the rescue operation in the basement. 3 people have been trapped, in one basement, a 7-8 year old child and 19-year-old girl are trapped inside and in the house next door, a young man is trapped…” said Asrar Ahmed, member, Civil Defence.

Four additional assistant collectors have been deployed to assist with the Wayanad landslide response. The officials, coming from Idukki, Palakkad, and Kozhikode districts, will support the Wayanad district administration in managing the aftermath of the landslide.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi. Previously, an orange alert (be prepared) was in place for Thursday, but it has been updated to a yellow alert (be aware) until Friday. According to the IMD’s seven-day forecast, no further warnings are expected after that.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday regarding the cloudburst in the state. Shah assured Sukhu that the central government will provide assistance, including deploying teams from the National Disaster Response Force for rescue and relief efforts.

The cloudburst has caused at least three deaths and left about 40 people missing. The heavy rains have damaged many homes and roads and affected two hydro power projects.

At least three people were killed, while 40 people are reported missing after a cloudburst struck the Jhakhari area of the Rampur subdivision in Shimla district early Thursday, officials said.

The severe weather event has also caused widespread destruction, including the washing away of roads and damage to a hydropower project.

Read More: Himachal Rain: Cloudburst in Shimla leaves three dead, 40 missing; Roads washed away, houses collapse