1. Record rainfall: Chandigarh, Kullu see wettest days in history
In July this year, 10 tributaries in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand surpassed their highest-ever flood levels
Over the last few days, torrential rainfall has wreaked havoc in north India, particularly in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh. It has triggered landslides and flash floods, leaving hundreds of people stranded. As of Monday, at least 22 related deaths were reported.
Map 1 shows the amount of rainfall recorded in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on July 9, 2023. North India, where rainfall exceeded 200 mm, stands out. On the other hand, except some parts of Gujarat and central India, the rest of the country received scant rainfall. While the map only depicts the rainfall for the latest day available, this trend holds true for most days of July.
Chart 2 shows the cumulative deviation from the usual rainfall recorded, on all days of July 2023, across meteorological subdivisions. The graph shows, on any given day, the percentage change (increase/decrease) from the Long Period Average rainfall recorded cumulatively this monsoon. Each line corresponds to one of the 36 meteorological subdivisions. The subdivisions in north India, especially the areas in and around the places highlighted in Map 1, are given a distinct colour. India’s overall deviation is also highlighted.
As the chart shows, nearly all the meteorological subdivisions which recorded high increases from normal rainfall were in the north. Punjab led the list with an increase of over 200% from normal rainfall on all the days of July this year. In Himachal Pradesh, the increase from normal ranged from 85% to 110% on all the days of July. The increase from normal rainfall in Uttarakhand and Haryana surpassed even Himachal Pradesh’s deviation in the past four days, peaking at 115% and 113%, respectively, on July 10. Western Uttar Pradesh has also recorded a sudden increase in rainfall in the past few days — an 84% increase from normal on July 10. The grey lines, which show the deviation of non-northern subdivisions, are closer to or even lower than the zero-line, showing that rainfall was either on expected lines or was deficit in these regions. The only exception was western Madhya Pradesh, which also recorded rainfall that was much higher than usual.
Notably, the deviation from normal rainfall for India on the whole, which had remained below zero on all days since the start of the monsoon this year, entered positive territory on July 9 for the first time. But it is important to note that many parts other than north India are still experiencing a monsoon deficit.
Chart 3 shows the actual rainfall recorded on a July day in millimetres across select north Indian cities. Each grey circle corresponds to a July day between 1952 and 2022. The highlighted crosses correspond to a July day in 2023. On July 9, Chandigarh recorded a 24-hour rainfall of 283 mm. The second highest level of rainfall of 144 mm was recorded in Chandigarh on July 6, 1988. In fact, 283 mm is the highest-ever 24-hour rainfall for the city for any day since 1952. Kullu in Himachal Pradesh also recorded its wettest July day, and second-wettest day ever. With 51.8 mm rainfall on July 9, Delhi recorded its wettest July day since 2006.
In the last few days, at least 10 stations measuring the water level in rivers/tributaries spread across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand recorded the highest flood level recorded in history. Rivers/tributaries in Giri, Bata, Meenus, Tons, Satluj and Ropa Khad in Himachal Pradesh, and Bhagirathi-I, Fica, Mandakini and Pinder in Uttarakhand either touched or surpassed their highest flood levels in the last few days.
2. Rain continues to pound North India, toll rises to 25
Spate on street: The scene at a residential area at Thunag in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh following flash floods. PTI
300 people, including tourists, stranded in Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh; extensive damage to highways, power stations, water supply systems; PM speaks to CM Sukhu
Relentless rain continued to pound most parts of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh for the third consecutive day on Monday, putting life out of gear.
The rain across the northern parts of the country has led to landslips and flash floods in the region.
Seventeen people died in Himachal Pradesh in rain-related incidents in the past three days, while six deaths were reported in Haryana and two in Punjab.
Heavy damage
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said roads, transformers, electric sub-stations and water supply schemes suffered extensive damage in the State. “As per an initial estimate, the loss could be in the range of ₹3,000 crore-₹4,000 crore,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Mr. Sukhu over telephone and inquired about the extent of damage caused to life and property. Mr. Modi also called Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to inquire about thesituation in the State.
Mr. Sukhu said efforts were under way to evacuate around 300 people, including tourists and residents, stranded in Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts by using helicopters once the weather permitted.
He said the ‘Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra’ had been halted for the rest of the season due to six deaths reported during the pilgrimage.
Rescue operations on
In Mandi district’s Nagwain, six people who were stranded were safely evacuated on Sunday night, while 29 people trapped in Manali’s potato ground were rescued around 8 a.m. The Mandi administration got 113 houses evacuated in the wake of a flood-like situation in the Beas. About 200 tourists are stranded near Chandertal Lake in Lahaul and Spiti district, and efforts are under way to rescue them. An operation has been launched to trace eight missing local people at Lohardi in the Baijnath area of Kangra district.
Heavy rain that triggered landslips has left hundreds stranded as several roads, including National Highways, have been damaged, adversely impacting vehicular movement in Himachal Pradesh.
The incessant rain has left Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers, flowing through Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, in spate.
3. Yamuna inching closer to ‘danger mark’, govt. starts evacuation work
1 of 5 (Clockwise from top) Atishi inspects govt. preparation in low-lying areas close to the Yamuna; vehicles moving through a waterlogged road; a family with its belongings under a bridge at Yamuna Bank; newly built tunnel near Pragati Maidan inundated with rainwater. ani/shiv kumar pushpakar/akshat singh
Atishi terms situation in floodplains ‘alarming’; primary classes to be shut today; floods unlikely but govt. prepared to deal with any eventuality: CM
Primary classes of all schools in Delhi will remain shut on Tuesday, with the Delhi government closely monitoring the rise in the level of the Yamuna river. The government has also started evacuating people from low-lying areas along the river.
Revenue Minister Atishi described the situation in certain areas on the floodplains, such as Khadar in south-east Delhi, as “alarming”.
“The process of relocating individuals from Khadar to safer places has commenced. The Revenue Department has marked the locations of all individuals and their respective places to ensure their safe relocation. Adequate arrangements are being made in secure areas for their accommodation,” the Minister said.
As per the Central Water Commission, the Yamuna’s water level is expected to rise to 205.5 metres on Tuesday, which is close to the ‘danger mark’ of 206 metres.
‘Well prepared’
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it is “unlikely” that the city will face a flood-like situation in the near future. However, he added that the administration was preparing to deal with “any eventuality” over the next few days.
“If the level of the river goes beyond 206 metres, we will begin the evacuation of those who live close to the river. We have identified 41,000 people who live near the Yamuna. We have also readied relief camps that may be needed in such a situation,” he said.
The city received 107.3 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on Monday and another 2.9 mm till 5.30 p.m. The weather department has predicted moderate to heavy rain in the Capital on Tuesday, but the intensity of rain is likely to decrease over the coming days.
All schools in the Capital were shut on Monday due to the intense spell of rain.
However, with the city still reeling from the heavy rain over the weekend — 260 mm of rainfall in the 33 hours between 8.30 a.m. on Saturday and 5.30 p.m. on Sunday — incidents of waterlogging and uprooting of trees were also reported on Monday.
“Waterlogging was reported at 14 locations across the city and trees were uprooted at several spots, including Greater Kailash-1. Calls of traffic congestion and non-operational traffic signals due to power failure were also received,” the officer said.
Building collapses
At least five buildings or portions of them collapsed in various parts of the city, including Chawri Bazar and Jangpura.
However, no loss of life was reported in these incidents.
Meanwhile, nearly 16 structures in the Capital were declared ‘dangerous’ and 41 were found to be in need of repair in a survey done by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
The newly built tunnel at Pragati Maidan was temporarily closed due to significant waterlogging, said a senior police officer.
He adding that adequate signages and information boards have been placed at strategic locations to guide commuters towards alternate routes.
On Monday, Atishi inspected several areas on a motorboat in the Yamuna to take stock of the government’s preparations.
Rising water level
“Due to heavy rain across north India, the water level in the Yamuna is rising rapidly. Moreover, water is continuously being released from the Hathnikund Barrage [in Haryana]. Yesterday [Sunday], 45,000 cusecs of water was released, which went up to 3 lakh cusecs during the night. The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi could cross the danger mark very soon”, she said.
4.SC asks Manipur about status of stolen police weapons
A child sits near Churachandpur’s ‘Wall of Remembrance’ set up to honour the lives lost during the conflict.PTI
The Bench asks petitioners and those intervening in case to go through State’s status report and file short notes with their suggestions on improvements; it lists the case again for today
The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Manipur government, while referring to media reports, about the looting of a “large number of weapons” from police stations.
“Have they been recovered,” Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Manipur government.
The court, however, remained firm that its intervention would only extend to the humanitarian issues involved.
“We do not want these proceedings to be a platform for further escalation of violence… We are not running the security apparatus or the governance in the State… Then what is the elected government for? Let us not do it in a partisan manner here,” Chief Justice Chandrachud told the lawyers where the court intends to draw the line.
Mr. Mehta insisted that the “situation is slowly returning to normalcy with the efforts of the State and Central governments”. He urged the petitioners not to fan any flame in the court which may have repercussions on the ground.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, for petitioner Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi, said he was sceptical about the State’s version. The body count from the violence had been 10 at the time the petitioners moved the apex court in May, it was 110 now, he pointed out.
“Your scepticism cannot lead us to take over the governance of a State,” the Chief Justice chided him.
“I urge Your Lordships to allow me to make my submissions calmly,” Mr. Gonsalves pleaded.
The hearing saw the Manipur government file its latest status report detailing the situation on the ground.
The Bench asked the petitioners and intervenors in the case to go through the report and file short notes with their suggestions on improvements by evening. The court listed the case again on July 11.
Appeal against order
The State government has, meanwhile, filed an appeal against a Manipur High Court order to lift the present ban on Internet Lease Line (ILL) connections in the State, provided the stakeholders follow safeguards.
The court had further asked the government to consider restoring Fiber To The Home (FTTH) connections on a case-to-case basis.
The State said the order may be premature as the situation on the ground in Manipur was still fluid.
“The situation keeps changing,” Mr. Mehta explained. The court agreed to take up the petition on July 11.
