Rain Havoc in North India

Heavy rainfall hits North India where Himachal Pradesh and Punjab suffered the most. A red alert was also issued in Punjab on 24 September. It is said that the collision of two meteorological phenomena -- cyclone Daye from the Bay of Bengal and a Western Disturbance coming from Pakistan have resulted in north-west India receiving 454 percent more rainfall than the normal for this period since 21 September. 

Heavy rain and cloudbursts have caused flash floods and landslides in many districts of Himachal Pradesh while snowfall has cut off Lahaul and Spiti. At least 11 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Himachal Pradesh Government has ordered schools in at least nine districts to remain closed on 24 September because of heavy rainfall.

Schools in Kullu, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kangra, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Mandi, Shimla and Solan also remained closed with the weather department predicting heavy to very heavy rain over the state. 

 
Manali has been cut off from the district headquarters of Kullu and rest of the state after the Beas River breached its banks and submerged roads on either side of the river. The water level in the river rose after torrential rain over the last 24 hours. In Chamba district, the Ravi river was flowing at the danger mark and people were evacuated from low-lying areas. 

 
National Highway 3 near Aut in Mandi district was blocked as water from the flooded Beas River entered the highway, media reported. At least five people were reported missing after their car was washed away in Manali. Army was called in to rescue two people stranded in flash floods in Kangra district’s Saurabh Van Vihar, a park in Palampur. The fire brigade and rescue teams have arrived at the spot and are waiting for the water level to recede. 

The Yamuna River in Delhi was above the danger level following the release of water from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage in the wake of heavy rains and flash floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.