India – Deadly Flash Floods and Landslides Hit Northern States

by in Asia, News

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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