New Delhi: Heavy rains battered the Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, claiming 35 lives so far and leaving many stranded, while a flood-like situation prevailed in many parts of Haryana, Punjab and Jammu and the Yamuna neared the danger level in Delhi.
With three more people losing their lives in Himachal Pradesh where torrential rains over the weekend have caused floods and landslides, and destroyed houses, the toll has climbed to 25. Over 500 people are stranded as several roads are blocked by landslides and flash floods, officials said.
The rains have so far caused damage adding up to Rs 574 crore, according to a state government spokesperson.
The scale of devastation caused by heavy rains in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district unfolded on Monday with the recovery of more bodies from different villages, taking the toll to 10 while six people were still missing. Several houses and hectares of agricultural land were washed away.
Search and rescue operations resumed on Monday in the affected area with three helicopters.
Water level in the Yamuna river is likely to cross the danger mark this evening, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, urging people in low-lying areas to move to temporary shelters set up by the administration. Traffic movement on Old Yamuna Bridge (popularly known as Lohe Ka Pul) was closed by the administration in view of rising river.
Kejriwal held a meeting with ministers and top officers to assess the situation and reviewed arrangements. He said there was no need for people to panic but those in low-lying areas needed to shift to temporary shelters. He also urged parents to not allow their children near the river or to go for swimming or bathing in the swelling waters. Haryana released a record 8.28 lakh cusecs water in the Yamuna on Sunday, he said.
The administration has deployed 30 boats to prevent accidental drowning.
A flood-like situation prevailed in many parts of Punjab and Haryana where the IAF rescued nine people from flooded areas. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday toured the affected Rupnagar district to assess the damage where he spoke to the people impacted by the flooding.
Authorities had ordered closure of schools on Monday in Rupnagar in view of the flooding in many parts of the district.
The meteorological department said that no heavy rainfall was reported in most parts of Punjab and Haryana on Monday morning.
In Jammu, an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter rescued four fishermen who were stuck in swollen waters of the Tawi river, officials said. (PTI)
