From Andhra Pradesh to Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, Monday saw flooding in different parts of India. While as of Monday afternoon, at least 16 people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents in Telangana, a total of 109 roads, including National Highway 707, were closed in Himachal Pradesh following heavy rain. Meanwhile, several parts of Vijayawada city have been flooded due to unprecedented rainfall, swollen rivulets and flood water inflows, disrupting normal life of over 2.7 lakh people.
A total of 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed for flood relief and rescue operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, officials said Monday.
A look at the flood situations across the country in 2024:
Assam
In July, the flood situation in Assam escalated to critical level, affecting 16.50 lakh people in 29 districts. Besides Cachar, other districts in Assam that were heavily impacted by the floods are Barpeta, Biswanath, Charaideo, Chirang, Darrang and Dhemaji. The other districts include Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Hojai, Jorhat, Kamrup and Kamrup Metropolitan. Other districts are East Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia districts.
In a press conference held in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the situation as chaotic and critical. “We have been hit by massive floods. Lakhs of people have been affected until now…,” said Sarma.
The Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses, was severely impacted. Nearly 95 forest check posts are submerged, forcing wildlife, including the endangered species, to migrate to nearby hills in search of safety.
Himachal Pradesh
Thirty-one people were killed in 51 events of cloudburst and flash flood between June 27 and August 16 in Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season, the State Emergency Operation Centre said.
The monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 27. Thirty-one people were killed and 33 went missing in 51 incidents of cloudburst and flash flood between June 27 and August 16 in Himachal Pradesh. Lahaul and Spiti witnessed 22 such incidents, the highest in the state, followed by 11 in Kinnaur, six in Una, three each in Kullu and Mandi, two in Sirmaur and one each in Chamba, Hamirpur, Shimla and Solan districts, it said. According to the data, 121 houses were completely or partially damaged. Three people were killed in 35 landslides during the same period. At nine, Mandi reported the highest number of landslides. Kinnaur and Shimla reported six landslides each, Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba four each, Solan three, Kullu two and Bilaspur one.
Kerala
The massive landslides which struck Wayanad in July claimed the lives of at least 291 people and left 206 missing. The landslides were caused by heavy rains that caused hillsides to collapse, destroying the areas below. Indian Army, NDRF along with local emergency response departments continued their massive search and rescue operation to trace people feared to be trapped in the tragedy.
Uttarakhand
The relentless rain in July wreaked havoc across several states, with Uttarakhand bearing the brunt of severe flooding and landslides. The Gaula river, swelling beyond its banks, surged to unprecedented levels, inundating the Haldwani railway station. The inundation forced Railways to cease operations at several key stations, affecting travel across the region.
Continuous rainfall inundated the Kumaon region, causing rivers to swell in the mountains and forming large ponds in the plains. In Haldwani, the Lalkuan railway station was submerged, necessitating the diversion of train services to alternate stations like Pantnagar and Rudrapur. Operations at Lalkuan station came to a halt as all four platforms were submerged under rainwater.
Maharashtra
Following torrential rainfall in July, the Khadakwasla Dam in Pune released water at the rate of 40,000 cusecs causing the Mutha river to overflow. Low-lying areas such as Deccan, Sinhagad Road, Ekta Nagar and Pulachi Wadi experienced flooding. Water entered many homes in Pulachi Wadi and Ekta Nagar, while on Sinhagad Road water has risen up to chest level at a residential complex with rescue boats being deployed to evacuate residents.
Gujarat
At least 26 people have been killed in Gujarat in the last week of August due to heavy and incessant rains that continue to pound the state. Around 17,800 people were evacuated from flood-affected areas as heavy showers lashed parts of the state for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday.
On August 28, the Army was called in to carry out relief and rescue work. Some areas were under 10 to 12 feet of water, said Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel. The Vishwamitri river which flows through the city crossed the danger mark of 25 feet on Tuesday morning following heavy rains and the release of water from Ajwa dam, he told reporters here after a review meeting with senior officials.
“Water level of Ajwa Dam is 213.8 feet at present. We have closed the gates so that no additional water goes into Vishwamitri river. The river is currently flowing at 37 feet, well above the danger mark. Water has spilled into the city and many areas are flooded,” he said.
As a long-term solution, the state government is considering a proposal to divert floodwaters into the Narmada canal instead of releasing it in the Vishwamitri river, he said.
Manipur
Incessant heavy rainfall inundated several areas of Manipur on Tuesday affecting normal life by the end of May.
Tripura
At least 32 people lost their lives in the deluge in Tripura during August 19-24.
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