Himachal, Uttarakhand Paralyzed by Torrential Rains: Red Alert Issued, Schools Closed, Monsoon Toll Rises to 20

Heavy monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh and parts of Uttarakhand, bringing daily life to a standstill. A red alert has been issued for several districts in Himachal, including Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and the risk of landslides and flash floods. In response to the deteriorating situation, all schools in the affected districts have been ordered shut for the day.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) confirmed that three more people have lost their lives in Himachal in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of monsoon-related deaths in the state to 20 since the onset of the rainy season. One person each drowned in Una and Bilaspur districts, while another individual died after falling from a height in Shimla.

Transportation has been severely impacted. A landslide near Koti on the Shimla-Kalka national highway (NH-5), a key route linking Shimla and Chandigarh, damaged stretches of road and led to a traffic jam stretching over two to three kilometers. Meanwhile, services on the Shimla-Kalka rail line were temporarily suspended after debris and fallen trees blocked the tracks following intense overnight rainfall. Authorities worked for hours to clear the route and restore connectivity.

In Uttarakhand, the Char Dham Yatra, one of the most significant pilgrimages in the region, faced disruption due to a massive landslide near Barkot. The state government had imposed a 24-hour ban on the yatra, which was lifted Monday after the situation was reviewed and declared safe for travel. However, officials remain cautious, given the fragile terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the heavy rainfall will continue till Monday evening in many parts of Himachal Pradesh. The red alert indicates a high probability of damage to life and property, with particular concern over landslides in hilly areas and rising river levels that could lead to flash floods.

The widespread rainfall is part of an early and aggressive onset of the monsoon this year. The IMD announced on Sunday that the monsoon had covered the entire country, including Delhi, a full nine days ahead of the normal schedule. Typically, the monsoon reaches the capital and the remaining regions of Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana by July 8. However, by June 29, the monsoon had already spread to these areas, leading to widespread rainfall across North India.

In Delhi-NCR, residents experienced light to moderate showers over the weekend, accompanied by gusty winds. Areas such as Rohini, Pitampura, Karawal Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Dwarka, and the Indira Gandhi International Airport reported consistent rain on Saturday and Sunday.

With the monsoon season intensifying earlier than expected, state authorities in both Himachal and Uttarakhand remain on high alert. Disaster management teams have been deployed, and the public has been advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, especially in vulnerable zones near rivers, hills, and landslide-prone areas.

IT.