Monsoon conditions remain active across India, with continuous rainfall affecting normal life in several states. Landslides have disrupted road connectivity in Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, while the Kedarnath pilgrimage has been temporarily suspended. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in 16 states, including Rajasthan.
Amid active monsoon conditions, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir are among the worst-affected states. Multiple landslides occurred on Thursday morning in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts of Uttarakhand. The Kedarnath trekking route near Gaurikund was closed as a precaution after debris fell from a hillside, and pilgrims undertaking the journey were stopped at safe locations.
In Rudraprayag, debris near the Silli area temporarily disrupted traffic on the national highway. A car was damaged after large boulders fell from a hillside near a petrol pump. In Uttarkashi's Syana Chatti area, movement was affected after a massive rock fell onto the road.
In Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, the wall of a government primary school collapsed following continuous rainfall. A landslide near Akchmal also led to the closure of the Kargil-Leh National Highway, suspending vehicular movement.
In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, a Kanwar pilgrim collecting Ganga water was swept away by the b current as the river's water level rose. An SDRF team deployed at the ghat conducted an immediate rescue operation and saved the pilgrim.
In Uttar Pradesh, rising river levels continue to raise concerns. In Ballia, erosion caused by the Saryu River has affected several villages. Water has reached inhabited areas, forcing more than 100 families to leave their homes and move to safer locations. Two houses have been washed away by river erosion, while the foundations of several other houses remain under threat.
In Gonda district, erosion along the Ghaghara River has intensified despite a decline in the river's water level. Several bighas of agricultural land and dozens of trees have been washed away. The administration is continuously monitoring the affected areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in 16 states, including Rajasthan. Continuous rainfall has been reported in several districts of Rajasthan due to the impact of a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. Waterlogging has been reported in Jaipur, Pratapgarh, Dausa, Churu and Alwar. In parts of Churu, water accumulated up to three feet in some markets, disrupting movement.
In Madhya Pradesh, heavy rainfall has been forecast for the next four days in 17 districts, including Ujjain and Indore, due to an active monsoon trough, cyclonic circulation and a shear zone. Rainfall is also expected to continue in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh.
According to the weather department, heavy rainfall is likely on July 31 and August 1 in parts of Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Orange and red alerts have been issued for some areas.
Authorities have advised people to avoid riverbanks and streams, refrain from unnecessary travel in hilly regions, and follow weather department advisories. Pilgrims planning to undertake the Char Dham Yatra have been advised to check weather conditions and administrative instructions before travelling.
Relief and rescue teams have been kept on alert in several states due to continuous rainfall. The administration said it is closely monitoring the situation in sensitive areas and will initiate relief operations immediately if required.
