Monsoon Weather Highlights: Northeast continues to be on high alert; death toll in Assam rises

Rain-related incidents have claimed at least five lives and caused widespread damage in Nagaland in the last few days, an official release said on Wednesday.

Damages to houses, roads, bridges and paddy fields have been reported, the release issued by Johnny Ruangmei, Joint Chief Executive Officer of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) said.

Several landslides and road blockages were reported in Fakim-Tsundang area in Pungro sub-division in the district.

Due to a mudslide, Penkim and Fakim areas have been cut off from Tsundang, Sangtsong, Vongtsuvong areas. The route to Thanamir has also been entirely cut off due to landslides in multiple locations.

Addressing a media briefing, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the state government has Rs 1,300 crore of central funds to deal with the floods situation.

"The cabinet has decided that the assessment of damage caused by the floods will be completed by August 15 and people will be provided with the necessary compensation," he said.

In a bid to sensitise the officials in this matter, several ministers have been assigned to camp for three days in the affected districts from Thursday to ensure that the people are provided with immediate relief and rehabilitation, he added.

There was a decline of almost 50 percent in fire-related calls since last week after the national capital was inundated in the monsoon shower, Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials said.

According to officials, the department, on average, received over 200 calls related to fire and bird and animal rescue every day during the summer season.

Heavy rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh, affecting vehicular traffic on Wednesday while the meteorological department warned of more rainfall along with thunderstorms till July 7.

As many as 18 roads, including 12 in Mandi, four in Chamba and one each in Kangra and Lahaul and Spiti districts were closed for vehicular traffic following rains.

The local weather office issued a yellow warning for heavy rains along with thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh till July 7.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh said this is the second flood following a hailstorm, calling it very unfortunate.

Two NDRF teams with equipment have been dispatched, and the state police force along with the Assam Rifles are involved. The government is providing 24/7 assistance, and rescue operations are underway in the internal villages, he said. 

#WATCH | Manipur CM N Biren Singh says, "This is the second time after a hailstorm flood has taken place. This is very unfortunate...Two NDRF teams have already been sent with equipment. And here the state police force and the Assam rifles, all are getting involved. 24x7 all… pic.twitter.com/CQRPb0Nd4e

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024

Delhi Minister Atishi on Wednesday inspected the Centralized Monsoon Control Room of the Public Works Department (PWD) to assess the waterlogging situation in the city. 

"Amidst the rain in Delhi, inspected the Centralized Monsoon Control Room located at PWD Headquarters today," Atishi posted on X.

"People of Delhi can lodge complaints regarding waterlogging on Toll Free No. 1800110093 or Whatsapp Chatbot No. 8130188222," she added. 

Rainfall is likely to increase in some parts of eastern Rajasthan in the coming days, a MeT Department spokesperson has said.

According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rains in some parts of Jaipur, Bharatpur, Kota, and Udaipur divisions in the next two to three days. During this period, there is a possibility of heavy rains at one or two places in Jaipur, Bharatpur and Kota divisions. (PTI)

State-owned National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken several measures for flood preparedness and providing emergency response on national highways across the country to tackle waterlogging during monsoon, an official statement said on Wednesday.

According to the statement, at locations where the national highway may get blocked for traffic movement due to huge landslide, an alternative diversion plan has been chalked out with the district administration.

According to the news agency PTI, 11 animals, mostly hog deer, have drowned while 65 other animals have been rescued from floodwaters in Kaziranga National Park in Assam, an official said on Wednesday.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed the situation in the national park on Tuesday and directed the authorities to take adequate precautions, including regulation of vehicular traffic on NH 715, to ensure that wildlife is not harmed.

Experts pointed out that floods are essential for the preservation and rejuvenation of the ecosystem of the Kaziranga National Park as Brahmaputra's overflow and increase in the level of water not only revitalises the grasslands but the excess water flow also flushes out the aquatic weeds and unwanted plants.

Officials said the flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh remained unchanged on Wednesday, as major rivers continued to surge above the danger mark.

Four districts - Namsai, Lohit, Changlang, and East Siang - bore the brunt of severe flooding, while other districts witnessed landslides following incessant rains over the past few days, they added.

Officials said a high flood alert, has been issued for Namsai district and Wakro circle in Lohit district, where water levels have exceeded danger levels. 

Appealing to all party workers to help people suffering due to the devastating flood in Assam, the opposition Congress on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not paying any visit to the state during the ongoing crisis.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Jitendra Singh also criticised the BJP-led government in the state for "failing" to fulfil its promises regarding controlling the perennial flood, news agency PTI reported. 

"It is extremely condemnable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who can travel multiple times to Assam for election campaigns but cannot take time out to visit during this time of devastating floods in Assam," said Singh, who is also the in-charge of Assam Congress. 

VIDEO | Heavy rainfall lashes Gurugram, Haryana. pic.twitter.com/2OjEjIVe4T

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2024

The flood situation in Assam's Nagaon district is still grim, as nearly 30,000 people have been affected, news agency ANI reported.

The flood situation turned critical in the Kaliabor area in the central Assam district after the flood waters of the River Brahmaputra breached a large portion of the Hatimura embankment.

More than 25 villages have been affected by the deluge in the Kaliabor Sub-Division area and the flood waters submerged 1099.5 hectares of crop area.

Many people have been forced to leave their homes and are now taking shelter on roads and higher land following the flood waters that inundated their houses. 

#WATCH | Assam: Flood-like situation remains grim in Nagaon, affecting nearly 30,000 people pic.twitter.com/uUn6wjgVVw

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024

Cloud cover enveloped Delhi as parts of the city received rain on Wednesday, bringing respite from the intense humidity that had gripped the city over the past few days.

The weather department, in its notification at 3 p.m., said that moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, with wind speeds of 40 to 60 kmph, and lightning, is likely to occur across Delhi and the NCR.

"There is no warning for heavy rain in Delhi as of now," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official told PTI. (PTI)

Kashmir is currently under the grip of a heat wave with day temperatures at various places soaring to record-high, even as some respite is likely ahead this week, officials said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Srinagar city, at 34.6 degrees Celsius, was hotter than Kolkata, which registered a maximum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius.

The city recorded the season's hottest day on Tuesday. In the last decade, this was the second highest maximum temperature recorded in the month of July, the officials said. (PTI)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday addressed the ongoing flood situation in the state, attributing it to geographical factors beyond the state's control.

''The devastating second wave of floods in the state were mainly due to the cloudburst in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh'', he told reporters after reviewing the flood situation in Kamrup district.

Heavy rainfall in China, Bhutan and in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh led to floods in Assam and this is ''beyond our control'', he said. (PTI)

Indian states of Uttarakhand, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Gujarat region are likely to witness isolated very heavy rainfall on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department stated.

Delhi is likely to receive moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department said.

According to the IMD, the sky will remain cloudy through the day and the maximum temperature is likely to settle around 35 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature is likely to be around 29 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is scheduled to hold a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to review the flood situation prevailing in the various districts.

The civil administration, SDRF, NDRF, Emergency Services and Air Force are engaged in rescue and relief operations in different parts of the state, news agency PTI reported.

More than 2.90 lakh people have taken shelter in 490 relief camps set up by the various district administrations. (PTI)

Assam continues to grapple with severe flood crisis, affecting 11.50 lakh people across 23 districts, as the water level of major rivers, including the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, flowing above the danger mark, an official report told news agency PTI.

The current second wave of floods have affected Barpeta, Biswanath, Cachar, Charaideo, Chirang, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup Metropolitan, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Tamulpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts.

Lakhimpur is the worst hit with over 1.65 lakh people suffering, followed by Darrang with more than 1.47 lakh people and Golaghat with almost 1.07 lakh people reeling under floodwaters, the report stated. (PTI)

Incessant rainfall caused flooding at several places in Manipur's Imphal West and Imphal East districts, after two major rivers breached embankments, officials told news agency PTI on Wednesday.

According to a senior official, the Imphal river breached its embankment at Singjamei Oinam Thingel in Imphal West, and the Kongba river at Kongba Irong and parts of Keirao in Imphal East. The Iril river also overflowed at Sawombung and parts of Ksheteigao in Imphal East.

"Huge volumes of river water entered residential localities… Over a 3-km stretch of the India-Myanmar road has also been flooded and more than 1,000 people were affected,” he said, adding that relief and rescue operations are underway for the affected people. (PTI)

Heavy rains have caused major rivers in Manipur such as Imphal, Thoubal, Iril and those in Arunachal Pradesh to flow above the danger level as of yesterday.

Manipur has also declared holidays in educational institutions for two days, owing to what is being called the second major flood the state is experiencing in less than a month.

One death has been reported, and another person is missing in Senapati district. 

Northeastern states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram continue to be on high alert after battling the impact of incessant rainfall and subsequent floods.

Two people in Tinsukia district lost their lives on Tuesday, taking the toll of this year’s floods in Assam up to 38.

Flood situation persisted in Assam's Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported. The national park's DFO Arun Vignesh told ANI, "This year flood situation prevails in Kaziranga National Park. Water level has risen considerably. So far 167 camps have been inundated, we have evacuated 8 camps..."

#WATCH | Golaghat, Assam: Kaziranga National Park DFO Arun Vignesh says, "This year flood situation prevails in Kaziranga National Park. Water level has risen considerably. So far 167 camps have been inundated, we have evacuated 8 camps..." (02.07) https://t.co/Bo7fT8q8vW pic.twitter.com/NQvAmdrOy4

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024

Two persons, including a six-month-old child, were killed and seven others injured on Tuesday when a wall of their house collapsed in Assam's Cachar district, police said.

Nine members of the family were in the one-room room in Chaltakandi area in Udharbond police station area when the wall collapsed, killing the two on the spot and injuring the others.

The injured were rescued by the neighbours and admitted to the Silchar Medical College Hospital, police said.

The earthen wall collapsed due to incessant rainfall in the area for the past few days, the PTI reported.  

The two deceased were identified as 35-year-old Ajiruddin and his six-month-old son Asifuddin. 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday inspected the flood-affected areas of Bokakhat in Golaghat district.

He visited the inundated areas in Upper Assam in a speed boat and later interacted with people taking shelter in relief camps after a breach in the embankment from Negheriting-Rongagorah Duke to Nikori PWD Road.

The chief minister assured the people in the relief camps that the roads and breached embankment would be repaired soon so that they could return home at the earliest, the PTI reported. 

The majority of the rivers and their tributaries in Arunachal Pradesh are flowing above the danger level on Tuesday, even as the weather conditions improved marginally in the northeastern state, the PTI reported.  

While four districts - Namsai, Lohit, Changlang and East Siang - are severely affected by flood, several others witnessed landslides due to incessant rains in the past couple of days, officials said here on Tuesday.

The Assam Rifles rescued 1400-odd people in Lohit, Namsai and Changlang districts in two days, a defence official said.

Flood water from the Kameng river swept away several houses at Seppa, the headquarters of East Kameng district on Monday. The Kurung river's water also washed away Kurung village in the remote Kurung Kumey district, snapping surface communication with the rest of the state.

Watch high tides hit the Mumbai shores

#WATCH | High tide hit Mumbai shores earlier today pic.twitter.com/qRg62AI3I3

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024

The maximum temperature in Delhi settled at 36.7 degrees Celsius, 0.7 notches below the normal, on Tuesday with light rain in parts of the city, according to the meteorological department.

There is possibility of light to moderate rain at a few places, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, as convective clouds have been detected, the India Meteorological Department told PTI citing its latest satellite imagery in the evening. Light showers were reported from some parts of Delhi around 3 pm, it said.

Light to moderate rain was recorded in parts of Rajasthan while some areas witnessed heavy rain, the meteorological centre here said on Tuesday.

Dungrana in Hanumangarh recorded 77 mm rainfall, the highest in the state, during the last 24 hours that ended at 8:30 am on Tuesday, meteorological centre spokesperson Radheshyam Sharma said.

During this period, Badi in Dholpur received 42 mm rainfall, Veja in Dungarpur 34 mm, Ramgarh Shekhawatan in Sikar 30 mm, Dhambola in Dungarpur 27 mm and Churu 29 mm. Various other places recorded rainfall between 1 and 17 mm.

From 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Mount Abu recorded the highest rainfall of 7 mm in the state, followed by 5 mm in Churu and 1.5 mm in Anta in Baran, according to the spokesperson.

Sriganganagar was the hottest place in the state on Tuesday with a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius. Bikaner recorded a high of 41.7 degrees Celsius, Jaisalmer 41.1 degrees Celsius, Phalodi 40 degrees Celsius, Barmer 39.6 degrees Celsius and Jodhpur 38.2 degrees Celsius, Sharma said.

Four hog deer drowned while 24 other animals were rescued from flood water following inundation of the Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday, an official said.

Forest department officials moved the rescued animals, mostly deer, to a dry and safe area.

STORY | Four animals dead in flooded Kaziranga National Park, 24 rescued

READ: https://t.co/9PbcCKD3DA pic.twitter.com/4FPsnASf4m

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

A couple and their four-year-old daughter were killed after a landslide partially buried their tin-roofed concrete building on the outskirts of Aizawl on Tuesday, a police officer said.

The incident, triggered by incessant rain, occurred in the morning while some of the occupants were still sleeping, Aizawl SP Rahool Alwal said.

He said the landslide hit the building owned by F. Lalrokima, a resident of Zembawk area in the state capital. The eastern side of the building, used as a bedroom by Lalrokima's son Isaac Chhangte (32) and his wife Lalrinchhani (25), was covered by the landslide, trapping the couple and their four-year-old daughter Abigail Lalchhanhimi under the debris, he added. PTI 

Parts of the national capital received light showers Tuesday late afternoon even as the weather department forecast heavy rainfall in the city.

Delhi is on an "orange" alert for Tuesday which denotes "be prepared" in the colour codes of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Some parts of Delhi witnessed light rainfall at around 3 pm, according to the IMD.

The Met office this morning predicted moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.

The city recorded a minimum temperature of 30.7 degrees Celsius, 2.8 notches above the season's normal, the IMD said.

Here are some visuals from Dehradun 

VIDEO | Heavy rainfall leads to waterlogging in Dehradun's Raipur. pic.twitter.com/ZRqsADzRmY

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Panchala village of Keshod faces waterlogging due to heavy rainfall. 

#WATCH | Junagadh, Gujarat: Panchala village of Keshod faces waterlogging due to heavy rainfall pic.twitter.com/W5lKS8inVC

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024

The tides at Nariman Point, Mumbai, seem to be rising high 

VIDEO | Visuals of high tide in sea at Nariman Point, Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/aks8E9xMdR

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Flagging recent heatwaves followed by heavy rainfall in Delhi, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Tuesday said climate change cannot be ignored and stressed the need to adopt a "green lifestyle" to reduce carbon emissions.

The CJI was speaking at a foundation stone-laying ceremony at Karkardooma, Shastri Park and Rohini here for trial court buildings in the capital.

"This year, Delhi experienced the hottest-recorded weather. We have experienced two heatwaves followed by record-breaking rain in a single day. Our infrastructure must reflect the reality we live in -- climate change can no longer be ignored, the PTI reported.  

The India Meteorological Department on Tuesday forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning in parts of Andhra Pradesh for five days from July 2 to 6. PTI 

Thunderstorms are expected in parts of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), Yanam, South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) and Rayalaseema. Strong winds reaching up to speeds of 40 km per hour (kmph) have been predicted to blow in these regions.

“The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab today, July 2. Thus, it covered the entire country on July 2, against the normal date of July 8,” said the Met Department in a press release. According to the Met Department, the Southwest Monsoon has covered the whole country six days in advance.

The lower tropospheric south-westerly and westerly winds prevail over Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.

Meanwhile, the weather department said Andhra Pradesh received ‘large excess' rainfall in the month of June, amounting to a monthly cumulative rainfall of 152.1 mm, which is 62 percent more than the normal cumulative rainfall of 94.1 mm.

Unlike coastal Andhra Pradesh region, which received only ‘excess' rainfall cumulatively, the entire Rayalaseema region received ‘large excess' rainfall in June.

Anantapur, Annamayya, Chittoor, Kurnool, Nandyala, Sri Sathyasai, Tirupati and Kadapa districts in Rayalaseema received ‘large excess' rainfall.

The flood situation in Assam worsened since the evening of June 30, affecting 6.4 lakh people across 1,275 villages in 19 districts, according to an Indian Express report.

Currently, 8,142 individuals are seeking refuge in 72 relief camps spread across 11 districts, with the highest number of displaced people in Barak Valley’s Karimganj district and the Upper Assam districts of Tinsukia, Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh. Thirty-five people have lost their lives to flood-related incidents this year.

Flooding in the Kaziranga National Park, where 95 out of 233 forest checkposts have been inundated, has triggered the migration of wild animals to the neighboring hills in Karbi Anglong.

Flood-like situation prevailed in Gujarat's Junagadh on Tuesday following heavy rainfall, news agency PTI reported.

VIDEO | Drone visuals of flood-like situation in Gujarat's Junagarh amid incessant rainfall. pic.twitter.com/e8uUWaUogX

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

The southwest monsoon has covered the entire country six days ahead of the normal date, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.

'The southwest monsoon has further advanced into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab today. Thus, it covered the entire country on 2nd July 2024, against the normal date of July 8,' the IMD said in a statement.

The monsoon arrived in Kerala and the northeastern region on May 30. It progressed normally up to Maharashtra but lost momentum, extending the wait for rainfall in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and worsening the impact of heat wave in northwest India. (PTI)

A rescue team in Dhemaji district, comprising nine personnel from the State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) and the Fire and Emergency Services, also had to be airlifted on June 30 after their boat capsized in the Siyang river in the midst of an operation.

Heavy rains have triggered multiple landslides in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting the Itanagar district administration to close schools until July 6. 

The Bhalukpong-Tawang Road on a stretch between Bhalukpong-Rupa in West Kameng district has been closed, news agency PTI reported.

VIDEO | #Arunachal Pradesh: Incessant rains triggered landslides and floods in several districts of the state have thrown normal life out of gear in the region.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/UtrOzOmbyB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

VIDEO | Arunachal Pradesh: Bhalukpong-Tawang Road closes due to multiple landslides on a stretch between Bhalukpong-Rupa in West Kameng district. pic.twitter.com/n4aZDHCSDU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

As the IMD predicts isolated very heavy rainfall in the hilly state on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured that the state is fully prepared for the monsoon, with all departments on 24×7 alert.

Just a day earlier, ongoing excavation along the banks of the Alaknanda River caused a flood-like situation, briefly submerging Brahmakapal and reaching the boundary of Taptkund near the Badrinath temple, alarming devotees.

“During monsoon, we face different types of disasters. We have held meetings and made arrangements in advance. Sewers have been cleaned, and the health department has also made arrangements because we often witness a shortage of medicines during such times. All departments have been asked to stay on alert 24x7," Dhami told news agency PTI.

VIDEO | “During monsoon, we face disasters. We have held meetings and made arrangements in advance. Sewers have been cleaned, and the health department has also made arrangements because we often witness a shortage of medicines during such times,” says Uttrakhand CM Pushkar Singh… pic.twitter.com/GuxnvcIxfD

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 2, 2024

Water levels continued to remain high in Brahmaputra river in Guwahati following heavy rainfall in Assam and neighbouring states, news agency ANI reported.

#WATCH | Water level remains high in Brahmaputra river, in Guwahati following incessant rainfall in parts of Assam and its neighbouring states pic.twitter.com/rZdNx5rAXU

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024

The flood situation in Assam remains critical as of Tuesday, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) rescuing twelve fishermen who had been stranded on a riverine island in Dibrugarh district since June 28.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to heavy rain in the state over the next four days.

Meanwhile, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised that “the next 3-4 days will be very critical for the state.”

Read the full story here.

#IAF rescued 13 marooned survivors from a small island in the flooded Brahmaputra, north of Dibrugarh in Assam.

On 02 Jul 24, after a sunrise takeoff, a Mi-17 IV helicopter from AFS Mohanbari flew in challenging weather conditions and undertook rescue ops from a marshy piece of… pic.twitter.com/hhr2PJheg8

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 2, 2024

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