India – Deadly Flash Floods and Landslides Hit Northern States

Heavy rain over the past few days has led to flash floods and landslides in northern India. Several buildings have also collapsed as a result of the rain. Deaths have been reported in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Himachal Pradesh

Heavy rain since 23 September has caused major flooding in Himachal Pradesh.

According to the latest reports from India’s National Emergency Response Centre (NERC), 7 people have died in flooding and landslides in the state since 23 September.

Chamba recorded 131.5mm of rain in 24 hours to 24 September according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). Kangra recorded 102.9mm during the same period.

Flooding and heavy rain has affected around 50 villages in the districts of Kullu, Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Una and Shimla. Over 500 homes have been damaged and 65 houses completely destroyed. NERC reports that 935 people have been evacuated and that 3 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams consisting of 90 people and 6 boats have been deployed to affected areas.

Some of the worst hit areas are in Kullu district where the Beas and Parbati rivers have overflowed.

Mountainous areas are also seeing severe snow. Teams from the Indian Air Force were called on to rescue hundreds of stranded hikers. NERC reported that one person has died as a result of hypothermia.

Pong Dam

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) said it will release water from Pong dam on Beas river in Kangra district. As of 24 September the dam was at a height of 1,385 feet, close to danger mark of 1,390 feet.

Rivers flooded in Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, India, September 2018. Credit: Government of Himachal Pradesh
Rivers flooded in Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh, India, September 2018. Credit: Government of Himachal Pradesh

Punjab

In Punjab, a total of six people died in rain-related incidents according to local media. The deaths occurred in Kapurthala (3), Amritsar (2) and Jalandhar. Over 20 houses have been damaged according to NERC.  Three NDRF consisting of 67 rescuers with 6 boats have been deployed.

Kapurthala in Punjab recorded 229.5mm of rain in 24 hours to 24 September according to IMD. Tarn Taran Sahib recorded 206 mm during the same period.

Haryana and Delhi

At least 1 person has died as a result of heavy rain in Haryana after the roof of a house collapsed in Ambala.

Yamunanagar in Haryana recorded 72.5mm of rain in 24 hours to 24 September according to IMD. Karnal recorded 99.9 mm during the same period.

Further south, the Yamuna river at Delhi Railway Bridge, North Delhi, reached 205.74 metres on 26 September, according to India’s central Water Commission (CWC). Danger level is 204.83 metres.

Jammu and Kashmir

Heavy rain has also caused flooding and several landslides in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Two people died in separate incidents in Kathua district. Landslides have also blocked the Srinagar to Kargil road, according to police. At least 5 people died after a building collapsed due to heavy rains in Doda district.

Police say that several people had to be rescued after rivers overflowed. Eleven people were rescued after the Bheeni river flooded parts of Billawar. Around 6 people from the same family were also rescued in Kathua after the Ujh river in flooded.

Kathua recorded 104.4 mm of rain in 24 hours on 24 September according to IMD.

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Flood Summary

Last updated: October 4, 2018
Event
Northern India, September 2018
Date
September 23 to September 27, 2018
Type
Flash flood, Landslide
Cause
Extreme rainfall
Heavy rain since 23 September led to flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir, northern India. Around 20 people died and several buildings collapsed.

Locations

A - Kullu
B - Bilaspur
C - Chamba
D - Hamirpur
E - Kangra
F - Mandi
G - Una
H - Shimla
I - Kapurthala
J - Amritsar
K - Jalandhar
L - Ambala
M - Kathua
N - Doda

Magnitude

Rainfall level
229.5 mm in 24 hours
Kapurthala, Punjab - September 23 to September 24, 2018
IMD figures
Rainfall level
206 mm in 24 hours
Tarn Taran Sahib - September 23 to September 24, 2018
Rainfall level
131.5 mm in 24 hours
Chamba, Himachal Pradesh - September 23 to September 24, 2018
Rainfall level
102.9 mm in 24 hours
Kangra, Himachal Pradesh - September 23 to September 24, 2018
Dam level
422.148 metres
Pong dam on Beas river in Kangra district - September 24 to September 24, 2018
As of 24 September the dam was at a height of 422.14 metres / 1,385 feet, close to danger mark of 423.67 metres / 1,390 feet.
Rainfall level
72.5 mm in 24 hours
Yamunanagar, Haryana - September 23 to September 24, 2018
Rainfall level
99.9 mm in 24 hours
Karnal, Haryana - September 23 to September 24, 2018
River level
205.74 metres
Yamuna river at Delhi Railway Bridge, North Delhi - September 26 to September 26, 2018
Figures according to India’s central Water Commission (CWC). Danger level is 204.83 metres
Rainfall level
104.4 mm in 24 hours
Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir - September 23 to September 24, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
7 people
Himachal Pradesh - September 23 to September 26, 2018
Fatalities
6 people
Punjab - September 23 to September 26, 2018
Kapurthala (3), Amritsar (2) and Jalandhar. Over 20 houses have been damaged according to NERC. Three NDRF consisting of 67 rescuers with 6 boats have been deployed.
Fatalities
1 person
Haryana - September 23 to September 26, 2018
Fatalities
7 people
Jammu and Kashmir - September 23 to September 26, 2018
Two people died in separate incidents in Kathua district. At least 5 people died after a building collapsed due to heavy rains in Doda district.