Red Alert In Punjab As Rains Kill 11 in North India

Incessant rain triggered flash floods and landslips in hill States of northern India, with at least 11 people killed on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.

In the wake of heavy rain, the Punjab government has issued a red alert. “All deputy commissioners are keeping a close tab over the current situation, and disaster control rooms have also been activated. All officials have been directed to remain at standby in view of the situation,” said Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Suresh Kumar, during an emergency meeting held here.

The government has ordered closure of all schools and colleges on September 25. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarider Singh, who presided over the meeting, announced a survey to assessing crop damage.

Dam water release

The Bhakra Beas Management Board issued an advisory to the Punjab government that it will release “excess” water from the Pong dam following incessant rain in the catchment areas of the Beas river.

In Haryana’s Ambala, a 45-year-old man died when the roof of his home collapsed due to heavy rain, the police said.

Five people, including a minor girl, died and as many injured in separate incidents during heavy rain in Kullu, Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, officials said. A “high alert” has been sounded for Kullu district. Several houses were also swept away in flash floods as the Beas is flowing at a dangerous level, Himachal Pradesh Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur said, cautioning people against going near rivers and nullahs. An Indian Air Force team has rescued 21 people stranded due to flash floods at Dobi in Kullu district in the past 48 hours.

In Uttarakhand, most of the places including State capital Dehradun received showers, with around 45 rural roads blocked in different districts, the State emergency operation centre said. Heavy rain led to landslips which blocked the roads to Badrinath, Kedarnath and Yamunotri, affecting the Chardham Yatra.

In Rajasthan, heavy to moderate rainfall was recorded in various parts of the State in 24 hours.

In Jammu and Kashmir, five members of a family, including three minors, were killed when their house was buried under debris after a landslide in the Doda district, while 29 people stranded in Kathua district after flash floods were rescued.

PTI