The weather gods are frowning at India again.
A month after intense monsoon rains caused the worst floods in nearly 100 years in the southern Indian state of Kerala, other regions of the country are facing the wrath.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert (watch/be updated) warning of heavy rainfall in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu this week, as well as an orange alert (alert/be prepared) for the northeastern states of Assam and Meghalaya on Sept. 25. This comes after rains lashed the northern states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, prompting landslides that blocked roads and forcing hundreds to evacuate.
Earlier this month, India’s home ministry said this year’s monsoon had already claimed the lives of over 1,400 people.
Here’s how some of India’s worst-hit states are faring:
Jammu & Kashmir
At least seven people were killed in landslides in the Doda and Kathua districts of the Himalayan state, which witnessed flash floods and heavy rains over the past few days. On Sept. 24, up to 29 stranded people, including 10 children, were rescued from Kathua in an overnight operation. In Doda, educational institutions have been closed, and residents have been asked to stay indoors.
Punjab
This state has reportedly received 22% of its total monsoon rains in just 48 hours, setting off landslides that blocked several roads. At least six have died in rain-related incidents, and educational institutions are closed today (Sept. 25). Due to rising water levels, local authorities said they would need to release excess water from the Pong dam in the town of Talwara.
Haryana
On Sept. 24, at least four people were killed as rains lashed the northern state, causing trees to fall and the collapse of buildings. Farmers are staring at massive crop loss, according to a report in the Hindustan Times newspaper. With paddy fields waterlogged, the rains are estimated to have a 25%-35% impact on the state’s annual production, local officials told the daily.
Himachal Pradesh
After torrential rains hit 10 of the state’s 12 districts, River Beas reportedly overflowed, submerging roads on either side and cutting off Manali, a popular tourist town. Flash floods and landslides have killed at least seven people and forced hundreds to evacuate, while local authorities have had to open the gates of four dams to contend with rising water levels. Around 378 roads have also been closed, and educational institutions are to remain closed today (Sept. 25).
Assam
Earlier this month, heavy rains in Assam forced local authorities to release water from the Ranganadi dam, inundating 76 villages and destroying some 3,500 hectares of crops. The previous rains and ensuing flash floods and landslides had already affected thousands. Continuous rainfall over the past few days has made it impossible for many to return to their homes. IMD has predicted the heavy rainfall to continue today (Sept. 25).
Karnataka
In the state capital Bengaluru, often labelled India’s Silicon Valley, a heavy downpour on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 flooded roads and houses in several neighbourhoods. Residents have complained of drains overflowing, and a few trees have also fallen.
Kerala
IMD issued a yellow alert warning in Idukki, Wayanad, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts. The southern state is still recovering from the disaster in August, which caused an estimated $2.7 billion in damage, destroying homes, roads, and other infrastructure, and killing nearly 500 people.