North India battles flood fury: Red alert in Punjab, Himachal and Uttarakhand; Over 300 dead in Himachal
In Uttarakhand, next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial | Himachal Pradesh has been the worst hit, recording over 300 deaths since the onset of the monsoon
PTC Web Desk: Severe monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across northern India, with Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand among the worst affected. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for several districts, warning of more heavy downpours, floods, and landslides in the coming days.
In Punjab, floodwaters have inundated several low-lying areas, particularly in hilly catchments. Authorities have ordered the closure of all colleges, universities, and educational institutions till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains directed hostel administrations to ensure the safety of students, while the Border Security Force (BSF) distributed drinking water and other relief materials in flood-hit regions. Districts, including Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Nawanshahr, remain on red alert.
In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the next 24 to 48 hours will be "crucial" as rescue and relief operations continue in rain-battered districts. Almora, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Champawat have been placed under red alert, while an orange alert has been issued for other areas. Officials are also closely monitoring the Nanak Sagar Dam, which is currently flowing five feet below the danger mark.
Himachal Pradesh has been the worst hit, recording over 300 deaths since the onset of the monsoon. On Monday alone, 16 pilgrims lost their lives during the Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba, forcing authorities to suspend the pilgrimage, leaving more than 15,000 devotees stranded. A landslide in Shimla claimed three lives after a house was buried under debris. Meanwhile, 819 roads, including three national highways, along with 1,236 electricity transformers and 424 water supply schemes, have been disrupted. Relief teams now face fresh challenges as the IMD has issued a red alert for Una, Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmaur districts.
Rescue teams, including the NDRF and SDRF, remain on high alert across the region as northern states brace for more heavy rainfall.