Heavy rain lashes several parts of Northern States

Heavy rain lashed several parts of the country, leaving 35 people dead in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab yesterday. A flood warning has been sounded in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh as the Yamuna and other rivers are in spate. 

At least 24 people were killed in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh. Due to heavy rain, district officials have ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Shimla and Kullu today. Gates of Pandoh and Nathpa Jhakri dams are being opened as the water level in the Beas and Sutlej rivers is very high.

People have been requested to stay away from rivers, rivulets and streams to avoid any untoward incident. Train services between Shimla and Kalka were disrupted yesterday after multiple landslides blocked the rail route.  

In Uttarakhand, 8 people died and 10 are missing after a cloudburst in Mori block of



Uttarkashi district wreaked havoc in several villages. Several houses in Arakot, Makuri and Tikochi villages were damaged. 

Haryana has asked the Army to remain on standby after 8.14 lakh cusec water was released from the Hathini Kund barrage in the Yamuna river. Following heavy rain in Aol village of Punjab, three members of a family were killed when the roof of their house collapsed. 

In Uttar Pradesh, several rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna and Ghaghra, are in spate. Ganga is flowing above the danger mark in Badaun, Garhmukteshwar, Naraura and Farrukhabad. Similarly, the Sharda river at Paliakalan and the Ghaghra river at Elginbridge are flowing above the red mark. 

In Tamil Nadu, rain lashed several parts of Chennai and its neighbourhood. Met office has predicted more showers during the next two days.