Weather update: Very heavy rainfall likely in northwest India, IMD issues red alert for 7 districts in Himachal Pradesh

Amid the heavy rains and subsequent landslides and waterlogging, train movement on the Shimla-Kalka heritage rail track has been cancelled for Sunday, Himachal Pradesh Traffic, Tourist and Railways Police were quoted as saying in a tweet by ANI. A red alert has been issued for seven districts in Himachal Pradesh and an orange alert has been declared for three districts till Sunday. People have been cautioned of flash floods and avalanches in the Lahul and Spiti districts.

Regarding the status of the monsoon, the IMD in its press release dated July 8 said cyclonic circulation lies over Southwest Rajasthan in middle tropospheric levels. “A Western Disturbance in mid-tropospheric westerlies runs roughly along Long. 72°E to the north of Lat. 24°N. The off-shore trough at mean sea level runs from south Gujarat coast to north Kerala coast,” it said. In Delhi and adjoining areas, the IMD has forecast thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain for the next two hours.

Four killed in Rajasthan

In separate incidents in Rajasthan, four deaths have been reported within a span of 24 hours after heavy rains lashed parts of northwest India on Saturday. A woman and a man died after being struck by lightning in Chittorgarh, while two men drowned in separate incidents in Sawai Madhopur, the police said. In the Chittorgarh district, Heeralal Bhil of Samelia Majra village and Kesar Bai of Palkhedi village died on Friday due to lightning, the police said.

In the Sawai Madhopur district, Brahm Gurjar of Salempur village drowned in a waterlogged railway underpass in the Gangapur city on Saturday. On Friday evening, Ramprakash Gurjar drowned while bathing in the Isarda dam, they added.

Amarnath yatra suspended for second consecutive day

Landslides and flash floods blocked several roads in Shimla, Sirmaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba and Solan districts. The Amarnath Yatra was suspended for the second consecutive day after heavy rainfall and landslides and left thousands stranded in Jammu at many places. Snowfall was also witnessed in a few areas in the higher reaches, including the area near the Amarnath cave shrine.

People in Kashmir were advised to remain alert and avoid venturing near water bodies after heavy rainfall led to water level rise in Jhelum river and its tributaries within few hours.

Delhi records highest continuous downpour in a single day in last 20 years

The national captial recorded the highest continuous downpour in a single day during the month of July in the last two decades on Saturday. From 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, the Safdarjung weather station, which is considered to be a marker for the city, recorded 126.1 mm of rainfall — the highest in a single day in July since 2003, according to IMD data. The intensity of rainfall was highest from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, when 77.3 mm of rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, according to data from the IMD.

From Connaught Place, Pragati Maidan to Lutyen’s Delhi and areas including Majnu Ka Tila, roads were inundated. The Public Works Department (PWD) received almost 200 complaints. ITO, Majnu Ka Tila, Rohtak Road, the Ring Road, the Pandav Nagar underpass, Purana Qila Road, Sarita Vihar Chowk and Pragati Maidan on Mathura Road also reported flooding.

Chandigarh records highest single-day rainfall since 2017

On Saturday, Chandigarh also received heavy rain with waterlogged streets, submerged underpasses, uprooted trees, damaged private properties. The city recorded 113.3 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 9.30 pm on Saturday, which is the highest single-day rainfall since 2017. Chandigarh Engineering Wing officials have been deployed near the lake for monitoring the situation.

Maharashtra braces for untoward incidents during monsoon

Maharashtra government has chalked out the list of villages in each district which are prone to flooding and has accordingly alerted health officers to ensure preparedness of disaster management cells in case of any untoward incident during the monsoon. On Saturday, Health Minister Tanaji Sawant conducted a review meeting with top health officials to review the preparedness of districts to deal with natural calamities during monsoon.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

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