India Weather Highlights: Death toll jumps to 74 after monsoon wreaks havoc in Himachal, 31 still missing

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Sunday told news agency ANI that the efforts are underway to restore services "swiftly" after heavy monsoon showers in Himachal Pradesh triggered landslides and infrastructure damage, disrupting road connectivity and essential services across many districts.

"The heavy monsoon showers have triggered landslides, waterlogging, and infrastructure damage, disrupting road connectivity and essential services across multiple districts," it said.

"Efforts are underway to restore services swiftly, and field teams are on alert in highly affected regions such as Mandi and Kullu."

In districts such as Shimla, Solan, and Lahaul and Spiti, the report showed minimal or no disruptions. However, SDMA cautioned that continuing rains could aggravate the situation in coming days.

The public has been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in landslide-prone zones. Restoration efforts are ongoing with the Public Works, Electricity, and Jal Shakti departments mobilized for repairs, news agency ANI reported.

The SEOC continues to monitor the evolving situation closely and is coordinating relief efforts through its 24x7 helpline (1070). (ANI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Sunday has warned of moderate to high flash flood risk in parts of Himachal Pradesh's Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts over the next 24 hours, news agency PTI reported.

The weather agency cautioned against possible landslides, flash floods, waterlogging, and damage to vulnerable structures, crops and essential services. People have been advised to stay away from water bodies and avoid vulnerable areas, as per the report.

Meanwhile, the search for 31 missing persons is underway in Mandi district, which bore the brunt of destruction following 10 cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides on Tuesday. Fourteen bodies have been recovered so far, officials said, adding that sniffer dogs and modern technology have been deployed in the operation, according to PTI.

Rains have continued in several parts of the state since Saturday evening. Nagrota Suriyan recorded 102.4 mm of rainfall, followed by Una (67.2 mm), Guler (62.4 mm), Dharamshala (61.1 mm), Kataula (40.3 mm), Ghamroor (40 mm), Berthin (38.4 mm), Sujanpur Tira (36 mm), Barari (35.6 mm), Nadaun (30 mm), Kahu (22.2 mm) and Mandi (21.2 mm). (PTI)

Residents of Ambala, Panchkula, and surrounding districts are advised to remain cautious as strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are predicted.

Heavy rain and thunderstorm (red alert) is issued for Ambala, Barara, Jagadhri, Chhachhrauli, Narayangarh, and Panchkula.

Meanwhile, moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning (orange alert) is issued for Indri, Radaur, Thanesar, Pehowa, Shahabad, Ambala, Kalka, Barara, Jagadhri, Chhachhrauli, Panchkula And Light Rain (yellow alert) is issued for Ganaur, Samalkha, Bapouli, Gharaunda, Karnal, Indri, Israna, Safidon, Panipat, Asandh, Kaithal, Nilokheri, Narwana, Kalayat, Thanesar, Guhla, Pehowa, Shahabad, and Ambala.

Authorities are preparing for potential flash floods, landslides in hilly areas, and urban flooding as the alert continues for several days. Farmers are advised to take precautions to safeguard their crops, particularly in districts vulnerable to flooding.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a severe weather warning for several districts in Punjab and Chandigarh Sunday.

An 'orange' alert is on for moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning in Patiala, Rajpura, Dera Bassi, Fatehgarh Sahib, Amloh, Mohali, Bassi Pathana, Khanna, Chandigarh, Kharar, Khamanon, Ludhiana East, Samrala, Rup Nagar, Moga, Firozpur, Zira, Shahkot, Patti, Sultanpur Lodhi, Tarn Taran, Khadur Sahib, Phillaur, Nakodar, Phagwara, Jalandhar I, Kapurthala, Jalandhar II, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Baba Bakala, Amritsar I & II, Batala, Ajnala, Dera Baba Nanak, Bhulath, Dasua, Mukerian, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Dhar Kalan.

The Himachal Pradesh forest department Saturday filed a police complaint against the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), accusing it of negligence leading to a massive landslide on Kaithlighat-Dhalli road stretch in the suburbs of Shimla city on June 30.

This is the fourth complaint filed against the road authority in Shimla in the last one week.

A five-storey building had collapsed in the landslide on Monday. Nearly 8,550 square metres of protected land was damaged and trees were uprooted, causing an estimated Rs 2.14 crore loss along the under-construction four-lane Dhalli road.

The complaint, filed by forest officer Ajeet Kumar, followed an inquiry conducted by the forest department, which pinned the negligent and faulty execution of road cutting work by the NHAI as the main cause of the landslide. The complaint said the calamity could have been avoided if the four-lane road construction was executed after taking due precautions and safety measures.

A case has been registered under Sections 32 and 33 of the Indian Forest Act for offences related to protected areas and Section 324 (5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for mischief causing damage to property, police said.

(with PTI inputs)

Here's are some visuals of the aftermath of flash floods and cloudburst in Thunag, one of the worst-affected areas in the recent cloudburst that struck Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district:

(Video by State Disaster Response Force)

(ANI Video)

Leader of Opposition in Himachal Pradesh Assembly and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, who was on a visit to the flood-affected areas in Thunag on Saturday, suggested PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh to take BRO's help in restoring the roads, citing a delay in the process.

Speaking to reporters, Thakur said, "PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh himself saw that there has been massive damage... He has assured that all of us will work together... Recovering from the damage is essential, but it is also crucial that such incidents are prevented in the future... I will suggest to the minister that BRO's help should be taken in restoring the roads, as it is their expertise... Even after 5 days, the main roads have not been restored. The link roads would take even longer... Once the roads are restored, the rest of the necessities like electricity, water, and restoring communication would be facilitated..." (ANI)

Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur Saturday visited the flood-affected areas in Thunag, one of the worst-affected areas in the recent cloudburst that struck Mandi district, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking to reporters, Singh said that the government is working in the disaster-affected areas on a "war-footing level."

"The damage is unprecedented... Our primary objective at the moment is to restore the roads... Link roads and Panchayat roads will also be restored later. Mobile connectivity has been restored today. People have started calling us about the damage in their areas. We are working on it on a war-footing level," he told ANI.

Elaborating on the provisions at place in Thunag, Singh said: "JCB and porcelain machine are at work... Unfortunately, a lot of lives are also lost. The bodies are yet to be recovered... The government, NGOs, and everyone are working on it. It is a collective effort... Former CM Jairam Thakur is also here... All of us are together trying to solve the problems of the people... Our endeavour must not be relief only, we also have to work on making sure that these incidents are prevented in the future..." (ANI)

A team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) arrived in Thunag, one of the worst-affected areas in the recent cloudburst that struck Mandi district, news agency ANI reported.

The personnel have initiated relief and rescue operations in multiple locations impacted by the disaster.

The ITBP team is working in coordination with the local administration and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to clear debris, search for missing persons, and assist displaced families. (ANI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain on Sunday in Delhi, with the maximum temperature expected to settle around 33 degrees Celsius.

The weather conditions will be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, as per the forecast.

The minimum temperature is likely to be around 29 degrees Celsius.