North India is facing a severe weather crisis as unrelenting monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts across multiple states, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the next seven days. States including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR are bearing the brunt of the downpour, leaving communities grappling with the devastation.
Jammu’s Tawi and Chenab Rivers Overflowing
The situation in Jammu has turned critical with the Tawi and Chenab rivers flowing above the danger mark. Inundation has affected several colonies, including Rajiv Colony and the Jammu University campus, where hostels were evacuated to ensure student safety. Floodwaters submerged the lower floors of residential areas, damaging belongings and forcing hundreds of families to relocate to temporary shelters set up by the administration.
The Chenab River’s rising levels have flooded low-lying villages, and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been shut due to landslides and rockfalls at Chanderkot, Kela Mod, and Battery Chashma. Authorities have halted vehicular movement, leaving thousands of passengers stranded on the route.
Punjab Battles Dam Overflow and Crop Damage
Punjab is reeling under severe flood conditions triggered by the combined effect of continuous rains and water discharge from major dams including Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar. The excess water release has worsened flooding in Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, and surrounding districts, where villages such as Bugna, Gahlaari, Naushera, Baupur, and Mansura are submerged under five to six feet of water.
Families remain trapped on rooftops, awaiting evacuation, while thousands of acres of paddy and maize crops have been destroyed. With hundreds of houses damaged, Punjab’s agrarian economy is staring at massive losses. The administration has deployed boats and relief teams, but accessibility to marooned villages remains a challenge due to waterlogging and broken connectivity.
Himachal Pradesh Crippled by Landslides and Flooding
In Himachal Pradesh, the rains have unleashed widespread landslides and infrastructure breakdown. The Beas River has risen alarmingly, flooding surrounding villages and damaging roads and bridges.
A tragic incident was reported in Bilaspur district’s Manjer village, where a house collapsed due to rain-induced instability, while another structure crumbled in the Dholra sector. Power outages and water supply disruptions have paralyzed several towns.
The Mani Mahesh Yatra pilgrimage has been suspended as roads leading to key religious destinations are blocked. With hundreds of roads closed and land connectivity cut off, locals and tourists remain stranded, waiting for the restoration of normalcy.
Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh: Urban Flooding Worsens
The Delhi-NCR region has not been spared either, with intense cloudbursts leading to waterlogging across major roads, disrupting daily life and office commutes. The IMD has forecast intermittent heavy showers for the next five days in the region, cautioning residents about potential flooding and traffic snarls.
In Uttar Pradesh, rivers like Ghaghra and Rapti are swelling dangerously, and continuous rainfall is expected to worsen conditions in eastern and central districts. Low-lying areas are on alert, with the administration preparing for large-scale evacuations if rain intensity continues.
Rajasthan Faces Heavy Rainfall Warnings
Though generally drier during monsoon compared to its northern neighbors, Rajasthan has also been placed under alert for heavy rainfall in its northern and eastern parts. Districts bordering Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are experiencing consistent downpours, causing localized flooding. Agricultural belts risk losing crops if the intensity persists.
Agriculture and Infrastructure Losses Mounting
The relentless rain has left a trail of destruction in agricultural fields, residential areas, and transport networks. With thousands of acres of farmland submerged, especially in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the coming harvest season faces uncertainty.
Infrastructure has been equally battered, with national highways blocked, bridges damaged, and local roads washed away. The suspension of transport services, including long-haul buses and rail routes, has disrupted supply chains and stranded commuters.
Rescue and Relief Operations Intensified
State administrations and disaster relief teams are working round the clock to provide evacuation, food, and shelter to affected populations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, focusing on rescuing stranded families and supplying relief materials.
In flood-hit Punjab villages, rescue boats and helicopters are being used to reach those trapped on rooftops. In Himachal, bulldozers and excavators are clearing blocked roads while power restoration teams are attempting to reconnect cut-off regions. Relief camps have been set up in Jammu to accommodate displaced families.
Indian Meteorological Department Issues Red Alerts
The IMD has issued red alerts for the next seven days in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and parts of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, warning of intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms. A yellow alert has also been extended to Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan, urging residents to remain vigilant.
Meteorologists predict that while the rain intensity will gradually taper after five days, the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of flash floods, river overflows, and landslides. People living in vulnerable zones have been advised to move to higher and safer grounds immediately.
Administration’s Appeal to Citizens
Authorities across North India have issued urgent advisories, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from swollen rivers, and follow evacuation orders without delay. In affected states, schools and colleges have been closed temporarily, and traffic advisories are being broadcast frequently to guide commuters.
The administration is working to expand relief camps, mobilize medical aid, and ensure availability of essential supplies such as drinking water and food grains.
Conclusion: North India Braces for Prolonged Monsoon Fury
The ongoing heavy rains in North India have brought life to a standstill, with rivers in spate, highways closed, and thousands displaced. From the overflowing Chenab and Tawi rivers in Jammu to the flooded plains of Punjab and landslide-stricken Himachal Pradesh, the scale of disruption underscores the severity of this year’s monsoon.
With the IMD predicting continued heavy downpours, North India must brace itself for further challenges in the coming week. Relief and rescue efforts remain the priority, but the unfolding situation highlights the pressing need for better flood management and infrastructure resilience in the region.
