Relentless monsoon rains have caused widespread floods and landslides across Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Haryana, claiming at least 500 lives. Thousands remain stranded as highways are blocked, rivers breach danger levels, and crops are destroyed. Punjab has declared a state of disaster, while emergency services continue rescue operations amidst severe infrastructure damage.
Himachal Pradesh: Landslides and Tragedy
Himachal Pradesh has been hit hardest, with the death toll rising to 341.
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A landslide in Mandi’s Sundernagar killed seven people, including four from the same family.
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In Shimla, two women died and 15 bus passengers were injured after a boulder struck a vehicle on NH-5 near Bithal.
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In Kullu, two men were buried alive in a landslide.
Snowfall at high passes in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Kullu stranded trucks at Baralacha (4,890m), while 1,155 roads remain closed, including the Chandigarh-Manali route and the Atal Tunnel highway.
Punjab: Worst Floods in 40 Years
Punjab faces its most severe floods in decades, prompting the government to declare the entire state disaster-affected.
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Death toll: 37, with seven more fatalities recently.
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Over 255 villages submerged in 24 hours.
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67,000 acres of farmland destroyed, and 3.75 lakh acres remain underwater.
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The Bhakra dam nears its 1,680 ft danger mark.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha reported that over 1,200 villages are affected. Rescue teams, including the Army, are reinforcing embankments and conducting evacuations.
Haryana: Collapsing Roofs and Electrocutions
Haryana has reported 8 deaths due to monsoon-related incidents.
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In Bhiwani, three girls died when their roof collapsed.
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Two migrant workers died in Kurukshetra, and three men were electrocuted in Hisar.
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Schools are closed in 16 of 22 districts to ensure student safety.
Jammu & Kashmir: Flash Floods and Missing Persons
J&K has seen 132 deaths and 33 missing since 14 August due to cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods.
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On Tuesday night, a woman and her child died when their house wall collapsed in Rajouri.
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Swollen rivers have submerged 87 BSF border outposts and damaged fencing along 110 km of the frontier.
Major rivers including Chenab, Tawi, Ravi, Basantar, and Ujh are above flood levels. Over 2,000 vehicles are stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, which remains closed due to landslides. Railways have canceled 68 trains between Jammu and Katra until 30 September, and the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage has been temporarily suspended.
Political Response and Relief Efforts
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged PM Narendra Modi to announce a special relief package for flood-affected regions, particularly for farmers. He emphasized the urgent need for central government assistance in Punjab, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
