News Analysis India

Tag: Flood

  • Flood fury: Death toll in Punjab, Haryana rises to 62 as both states ramp up repair, relief work

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: At least 62 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana during the recent spell of torrential downpour that battered parts of northern India, officials said on Sunday.

    With floodwaters receding in many areas of the two states, authorities have started working on restoring power and water supplies and repairing damaged infrastructure in flood-hit areas, they said.

    Relief work was still underway in several places, including the Sangrur and Patiala districts of Punjab, and breaches in earthen embankments along the Ghaggar river are being repaired.

    Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Sunday said schools that were ordered to be closed till Sunday will reopen from July 17. He also asked deputy commissioners to take decisions at their own levels in case any school is waterlogged or damaged.

    Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by heavy downpour last week that has left normal life paralysed. According to official data, 32 people have died in Punjab because of rain-related incidents and 30 in neighbouring Haryana.

    Over 26,000 people have so far been evacuated to safer places from waterlogged areas in flood-hit districts of Punjab and more than 5,917 in Haryana.

    The floods caused by the rain have affected 15 districts in Punjab and 13 in Haryana.

    The health department has been asked to take steps to prevent the outbreak of any water and vector-borne diseases in the flood-affected areas, the officials said.

    The water level at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar was 54,282 cusecs at 8 am which later rose to 81,430 cusecs at 2 pm and then dropped to 61,592 cusecs at 5 pm.

    Speaking to reporters in Rohtak on Sunday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hit out at the AAP leadership for blaming his state over floods in parts of Delhi, saying the blame game is neither in the interest of humanity, the state nor the country.

    AAP leaders have alleged that the BJP-led government in Haryana released excessive water from the barrage which flooded the Yamuna river, with water flowing onto the streets and roads of the national capital.

    The officials said efforts were underway to plug the breach that appeared along the Ghaggar river in Punjab’s Mansa. The breach was formed on Saturday in an embankment near the Chandpura bundh in the Budhlada sub-division.

    The breach caused water from the river to enter the fields in the district’s Gorakhnath and Birewala Dogran villages. It is feared that water may enter other villages as well, the officials said.

    The Mansa district administration has already set up several relief camps for flood-affected people, they said, adding that the ravaging Ghaggar has also inundated swathes of agricultural fields in Haryana’s Fatehabad district.

    In Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, several villages in the Dasuya sub-division were inundated following heavy overnight rain, prompting authorities to shift some residents to safer places, the officials said on Sunday.

    Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said the administration has started work on resuming the supply of drinking water, restoring electricity, and repairing the damaged infrastructure.

    “We have gone through a tough situation together and as things slowly return to normalcy, I want to thank each and every person for their patience and cooperation during this time,” Sawhney said to the people of Patiala.

    In Sangrur, the Moonak and Khanauri areas were the worst affected with a swollen Ghaggar inundating vast tracts of land.

    Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said water has started receding gradually in the Ghaggar river and the district administration has continuously been trying to plug the breaches.

    In Kapurthala, as the water level in the flood-affected areas in Sultanpur Lodhi started receding, the district administration said it is fully geared up to implement measures to prevent water-borne diseases. Public announcements were also being made in flood-hit areas, asking people to boil water before drinking. The authorities were also providing cattle feed and fodder in flood-hit areas.

    In Punjab, a total of 148 relief camps are functioning where 3,731 people have been sheltered, the officials said.

    A total of 1,414 villages in 15 districts have been affected by floods in the state, they said.

    Meanwhile, Khattar said a report of assessment of the losses caused to life and property in the state is expected to come from affected districts in the next two days.

    “But according to the information so far, 30 people have lost their lives, 133 houses have been completely damaged, 183 houses partially damaged and 110 animals have died,” he said.

    Khattar said farmers will be asked to register their losses on the ‘e-fasal Kshatipoorti’ portal and after that, a survey will be done.

    In Haryana, 5,917 people have so far been evacuated to safe places with nearly 1,300 villages being ravaged by the floods.

    Thirty-seven relief camps have been opened in the state where 2,852 people have taken shelter, according to Haryana government data updated till 5 pm on Sunday.

    The government said 1.72 lakh hectares of agricultural area were destroyed in the floods.

    CHANDIGARH: At least 62 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana during the recent spell of torrential downpour that battered parts of northern India, officials said on Sunday.

    With floodwaters receding in many areas of the two states, authorities have started working on restoring power and water supplies and repairing damaged infrastructure in flood-hit areas, they said.

    Relief work was still underway in several places, including the Sangrur and Patiala districts of Punjab, and breaches in earthen embankments along the Ghaggar river are being repaired.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Sunday said schools that were ordered to be closed till Sunday will reopen from July 17. He also asked deputy commissioners to take decisions at their own levels in case any school is waterlogged or damaged.

    Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by heavy downpour last week that has left normal life paralysed. According to official data, 32 people have died in Punjab because of rain-related incidents and 30 in neighbouring Haryana.

    Over 26,000 people have so far been evacuated to safer places from waterlogged areas in flood-hit districts of Punjab and more than 5,917 in Haryana.

    The floods caused by the rain have affected 15 districts in Punjab and 13 in Haryana.

    The health department has been asked to take steps to prevent the outbreak of any water and vector-borne diseases in the flood-affected areas, the officials said.

    The water level at the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana’s Yamunanagar was 54,282 cusecs at 8 am which later rose to 81,430 cusecs at 2 pm and then dropped to 61,592 cusecs at 5 pm.

    Speaking to reporters in Rohtak on Sunday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hit out at the AAP leadership for blaming his state over floods in parts of Delhi, saying the blame game is neither in the interest of humanity, the state nor the country.

    AAP leaders have alleged that the BJP-led government in Haryana released excessive water from the barrage which flooded the Yamuna river, with water flowing onto the streets and roads of the national capital.

    The officials said efforts were underway to plug the breach that appeared along the Ghaggar river in Punjab’s Mansa. The breach was formed on Saturday in an embankment near the Chandpura bundh in the Budhlada sub-division.

    The breach caused water from the river to enter the fields in the district’s Gorakhnath and Birewala Dogran villages. It is feared that water may enter other villages as well, the officials said.

    The Mansa district administration has already set up several relief camps for flood-affected people, they said, adding that the ravaging Ghaggar has also inundated swathes of agricultural fields in Haryana’s Fatehabad district.

    In Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, several villages in the Dasuya sub-division were inundated following heavy overnight rain, prompting authorities to shift some residents to safer places, the officials said on Sunday.

    Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said the administration has started work on resuming the supply of drinking water, restoring electricity, and repairing the damaged infrastructure.

    “We have gone through a tough situation together and as things slowly return to normalcy, I want to thank each and every person for their patience and cooperation during this time,” Sawhney said to the people of Patiala.

    In Sangrur, the Moonak and Khanauri areas were the worst affected with a swollen Ghaggar inundating vast tracts of land.

    Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said water has started receding gradually in the Ghaggar river and the district administration has continuously been trying to plug the breaches.

    In Kapurthala, as the water level in the flood-affected areas in Sultanpur Lodhi started receding, the district administration said it is fully geared up to implement measures to prevent water-borne diseases. Public announcements were also being made in flood-hit areas, asking people to boil water before drinking. The authorities were also providing cattle feed and fodder in flood-hit areas.

    In Punjab, a total of 148 relief camps are functioning where 3,731 people have been sheltered, the officials said.

    A total of 1,414 villages in 15 districts have been affected by floods in the state, they said.

    Meanwhile, Khattar said a report of assessment of the losses caused to life and property in the state is expected to come from affected districts in the next two days.

    “But according to the information so far, 30 people have lost their lives, 133 houses have been completely damaged, 183 houses partially damaged and 110 animals have died,” he said.

    Khattar said farmers will be asked to register their losses on the ‘e-fasal Kshatipoorti’ portal and after that, a survey will be done.

    In Haryana, 5,917 people have so far been evacuated to safe places with nearly 1,300 villages being ravaged by the floods.

    Thirty-seven relief camps have been opened in the state where 2,852 people have taken shelter, according to Haryana government data updated till 5 pm on Sunday.

    The government said 1.72 lakh hectares of agricultural area were destroyed in the floods.

  • Uttarakhand monsoon ‘mayhem’: Red alert issued for seven districts; relief teams on high alert

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: Rains lashed many places in Uttarakhand on Sunday, triggering landslides that blocked several roads, including the Badrinath national highway, officials said.

    Uttarakhand, which is facing a natural water disaster due to torrential and destructive rains, has issued a ‘red’ alert across seven districts for the next three days.

    The State Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar for July 17. At the same time, there is an orange alert across the state on July 18. Whereas, there is a yellow alert of rain in all districts for July 19.

    Meteorological Department Director Dr Bikram Singh told TNIE: “A red alert has been declared in view of the possibility of lightning with heavy rains and thunderstorms.”

    Designated officers and departmental nodal officers of the IRS system of disaster management have also been instructed to remain vigilant.

    State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Commandant Manikant Mishra told this newspaper, “Additional forces of SDRF’s water police have been deployed at sensitive waterlogged places so that rescue can be done in a short time in case of any untoward incidents.”

    According to information received from the District Disaster Management Control Room Haridwar, “The situation in rural areas remains stable due to lack of more rain on Sunday.”

    The abutment of a bridge on the Joshimath-Malari road was damaged due to debris and excess water flowing into the Girthi Ganga river at Niti Ghati in Chamoli district’s Joshimath.

    “The platform of the Graf bridge on the Joshimath-Malari motorway has been damaged due to excessive water and debris in the Gruthi Ganga river, about eight kilometres from Malari to Sumna,” Joshimath SDM Kumkum Joshi told this newspaper.

    There was no movement of common people on the said motor bridge, which was only used by the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

    Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations continued in flood-hit areas in Haridwar.

    National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Army and police are carrying out the operations in Roorkee, Bhagwanpur, Laksar and Haridwar tehsils, the officials said.

    In these tehsils, 3,756 families have been affected in 71 villages. Of these families, 81 have been shifted to relief camps, they said.

    Five people have died in these areas due to the floods. Seven houses have been completely damaged and 201 suffered partial damage. Seventeen roads and nine bridges have also been damaged due to the heavy rains in Haridwar, they added.

    The water level in the Kali River in Pithoragarh district’s Dharchula has crossed the warning level of 889 metres, while several other rivers, including the Ganga, are flowing close to the danger mark, the officials said.

    At 70 mm, Kapkot received the maximum rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre.

    Mussoorie received 61 mm of rainfall, Karnprayag 57 mm, Chamoli 54.4 mm, Nagthat 53 mm, Mohkampur 48 mm, Vikasnagar 41 mm and Uttarkashi 39 mm.

    The officials said 2,000-3,000 cusecs of water were released from the Srinagar Hydro Electric Project dam in the Pauri district as the Alaknanda River was flowing above the warning level, the officials said.

    The State Emergency Operation Center has instructed the district magistrates of Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun and Haridwar to take necessary precautions, they said.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

    DEHRADUN: Rains lashed many places in Uttarakhand on Sunday, triggering landslides that blocked several roads, including the Badrinath national highway, officials said.

    Uttarakhand, which is facing a natural water disaster due to torrential and destructive rains, has issued a ‘red’ alert across seven districts for the next three days.

    googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The State Meteorological Centre has issued a red alert for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar for July 17. At the same time, there is an orange alert across the state on July 18. Whereas, there is a yellow alert of rain in all districts for July 19.

    Meteorological Department Director Dr Bikram Singh told TNIE: “A red alert has been declared in view of the possibility of lightning with heavy rains and thunderstorms.”

    Designated officers and departmental nodal officers of the IRS system of disaster management have also been instructed to remain vigilant.

    State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Commandant Manikant Mishra told this newspaper, “Additional forces of SDRF’s water police have been deployed at sensitive waterlogged places so that rescue can be done in a short time in case of any untoward incidents.”

    According to information received from the District Disaster Management Control Room Haridwar, “The situation in rural areas remains stable due to lack of more rain on Sunday.”

    The abutment of a bridge on the Joshimath-Malari road was damaged due to debris and excess water flowing into the Girthi Ganga river at Niti Ghati in Chamoli district’s Joshimath.

    “The platform of the Graf bridge on the Joshimath-Malari motorway has been damaged due to excessive water and debris in the Gruthi Ganga river, about eight kilometres from Malari to Sumna,” Joshimath SDM Kumkum Joshi told this newspaper.

    There was no movement of common people on the said motor bridge, which was only used by the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

    Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations continued in flood-hit areas in Haridwar.

    National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Army and police are carrying out the operations in Roorkee, Bhagwanpur, Laksar and Haridwar tehsils, the officials said.

    In these tehsils, 3,756 families have been affected in 71 villages. Of these families, 81 have been shifted to relief camps, they said.

    Five people have died in these areas due to the floods. Seven houses have been completely damaged and 201 suffered partial damage. Seventeen roads and nine bridges have also been damaged due to the heavy rains in Haridwar, they added.

    The water level in the Kali River in Pithoragarh district’s Dharchula has crossed the warning level of 889 metres, while several other rivers, including the Ganga, are flowing close to the danger mark, the officials said.

    At 70 mm, Kapkot received the maximum rainfall in the state in the last 24 hours, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre.

    Mussoorie received 61 mm of rainfall, Karnprayag 57 mm, Chamoli 54.4 mm, Nagthat 53 mm, Mohkampur 48 mm, Vikasnagar 41 mm and Uttarkashi 39 mm.

    The officials said 2,000-3,000 cusecs of water were released from the Srinagar Hydro Electric Project dam in the Pauri district as the Alaknanda River was flowing above the warning level, the officials said.

    The State Emergency Operation Center has instructed the district magistrates of Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun and Haridwar to take necessary precautions, they said.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

  • Heavy rains in Jammu cause landslides, block Jammu-Kashmir highway 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Several landslides on Sunday blocked the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district as heavy rains lashed wide parts of Jammu province overnight, officials said.

    Landslides and shooting of stones from hillocks overlooking the strategic highway at Cafeteria and Mehad forced the suspension of vehicular traffic, the officials said.

    The fresh landslides were triggered by the heavy rains overnight, they said.

    The officials said efforts were on to ensure early restoration of the highway- the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country.

    Jammu city and other parts of the district received heavy rains overnight, rendering many roads waterlogged and commuters incapacitated.

    Jammu city recorded 95.7 mm, Udhampur 92.6 mm, and Kathua 42.0 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours ending 8.30 am Sunday, the officials said.

    Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, witnessed 14 mm of rainfall.

    The weather office has forecast more rainfall at many places across the Union Territory in the next 48 hours with possibility of heavy showers at a few places in the Jammu region.

    JAMMU: Several landslides on Sunday blocked the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district as heavy rains lashed wide parts of Jammu province overnight, officials said.

    Landslides and shooting of stones from hillocks overlooking the strategic highway at Cafeteria and Mehad forced the suspension of vehicular traffic, the officials said.

    The fresh landslides were triggered by the heavy rains overnight, they said.

    The officials said efforts were on to ensure early restoration of the highway- the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country.

    Jammu city and other parts of the district received heavy rains overnight, rendering many roads waterlogged and commuters incapacitated.

    Jammu city recorded 95.7 mm, Udhampur 92.6 mm, and Kathua 42.0 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours ending 8.30 am Sunday, the officials said.

    Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, witnessed 14 mm of rainfall.

    The weather office has forecast more rainfall at many places across the Union Territory in the next 48 hours with possibility of heavy showers at a few places in the Jammu region.

  • India may rush humanitarian aid to flood-hit Pakistan

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  With Pakistan reeling under unprecedented floods that have submerged one-third of the country and claimed at least 1,100 lives, India is considering sending aid to the neighbouring country on humanitarian grounds, sources told this newspaper.

    “India has always extended humanitarian aid to countries in need,” points out an official, adding that a decision on assistance to Pakistan will be taken in a day or two. On Tuesday, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce sought permission from the Pakistan government to import vegetables from India. The floods have destroyed crops on thousands of acres.

    The development comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “saddened” to see the devastation in Pakistan and Pak Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said Islamabad was considering importing vegetables from India to deal with high prices and shortage.

    If the BJP government decides to extend humanitarian aid to Pakistan, it will be the first time since 2014 that India will be doing so. India had sent aid to Pakistan during the 2010 floods and before that for the 2005 earthquake. Congress-led UPA government was in power on both occasions.

    NEW DELHI:  With Pakistan reeling under unprecedented floods that have submerged one-third of the country and claimed at least 1,100 lives, India is considering sending aid to the neighbouring country on humanitarian grounds, sources told this newspaper.

    “India has always extended humanitarian aid to countries in need,” points out an official, adding that a decision on assistance to Pakistan will be taken in a day or two. On Tuesday, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce sought permission from the Pakistan government to import vegetables from India. The floods have destroyed crops on thousands of acres.

    The development comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “saddened” to see the devastation in Pakistan and Pak Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said Islamabad was considering importing vegetables from India to deal with high prices and shortage.

    If the BJP government decides to extend humanitarian aid to Pakistan, it will be the first time since 2014 that India will be doing so. India had sent aid to Pakistan during the 2010 floods and before that for the 2005 earthquake. Congress-led UPA government was in power on both occasions.

  • Rain fury: Heavy release of water from Rajasthan dams put MP rivers in spate

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: While the flood waters are receding in central MP districts, including worst-hit Vidisha, the heavy release of water from dams in Rajasthan, has put most rivers, particularly Parvati and Chambal in spate, resulting in grim flood situation in Morena, Bhind and Sheopur districts of Gwalior-Chambal region.

    The heavy release of water from Kota Barrage and the Kalisindh Dam (both in Rajasthan) has caused a rise in the Parvati river in Morena and Sheopur and the Chambal river in Bhind and Sheopur districts.

    According to official sources, around 6000 villagers have been shifted to safer places by five teams of SDRF.

    In Bhind district, two flood-hit villages have been evacuated fully. Residents of 15 more villages will be shifted depending on the pace of rise in Chambal river.

    In the Morena district, rising Parvati river has forced the evacuation of residents from six villages and if the situation continues to worsen, then residents from 44 more villages will also be shifted to safer places on Thursday morning.

    As many as 12 SDRF teams and one NDRF team have been pressed into action in the three districts of the Gwalior-Chambal region to deal with any eventuality.

    The CM conducted an aerial survey of Bhind, Morena and Sheopur districts of the Gwalior-Chambal region, where the situation is grim owing to the continuous rise in Parvati, Chambal and other rivers.

    At the time of filing this news report, the CM was meeting flood victim families shifted to a shelter camp in Kuthiyana village of Morena district. 

    ALSO READ | Monsoon fury: Two washed away in Rajasthan; locals in MP affected by rain-related incidents

    Continuing aerial survey and boat connection of areas affected by floods, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached the 250 houses in flood-affected areas of Vidisha district. He mostly connected with the villages through a boat before wading through the knee-deep water to meet the affected families.

    While assuring the flood-hit families all possible help, Chouhan also distributed food packets to residents of settlements under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana.

    The CM conducted an aerial survey of the worst hit Mudrakheda and Tanaja Gadla villages of Vidisha district. While conducting the aerial survey, he connected over the phone with a local resident Narayan Singh Banwasi, who had earlier rang the CM office for help.

    He subsequently connected through his helicopter communication system with the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, already engaged in rescue operations, and coordinated with the IAF team in rescuing the stranded villagers from the flood-hit parts.

    Earlier in the day, the CM said that work should be started on a war footing for the restoration of drinking water and electricity supply, repair of damaged roads, broken culverts and cleanliness in the flood-affected areas.

    “To prevent the spread of diseases, medical teams should be formed to arrange disinfectant spraying and health test kits should be transported to the affected areas. It should be ensured that there is no shortage of machines and necessary staff to restore the situation in the most affected areas. If needed, machines and staff should be made available from other districts. There should be no shortage of resources anywhere,” he said

    He further said that the assessment of the loss of houses, household items, crops and cattle due to floods and excessive rains should be ensured in a transparent manner and with sensitivity.

    “In assessing the loss, an attitude of generosity towards poor families should be kept. The district administration should also make arrangements for food for the next few days for the families most affected by the floods. A dry ration can be provided to them. Social organisations should also be involved in providing essential materials and relief work to needy people,” the CM said.

    The CM said that the inspection of dams is necessary from the point of view of safety. He directed that the Water Resources Department and Narmada Valley Development Authority should conduct a micro-inspection of all the big and small dams under their control.

    BHOPAL: While the flood waters are receding in central MP districts, including worst-hit Vidisha, the heavy release of water from dams in Rajasthan, has put most rivers, particularly Parvati and Chambal in spate, resulting in grim flood situation in Morena, Bhind and Sheopur districts of Gwalior-Chambal region.

    The heavy release of water from Kota Barrage and the Kalisindh Dam (both in Rajasthan) has caused a rise in the Parvati river in Morena and Sheopur and the Chambal river in Bhind and Sheopur districts.

    According to official sources, around 6000 villagers have been shifted to safer places by five teams of SDRF.

    In Bhind district, two flood-hit villages have been evacuated fully. Residents of 15 more villages will be shifted depending on the pace of rise in Chambal river.

    In the Morena district, rising Parvati river has forced the evacuation of residents from six villages and if the situation continues to worsen, then residents from 44 more villages will also be shifted to safer places on Thursday morning.

    As many as 12 SDRF teams and one NDRF team have been pressed into action in the three districts of the Gwalior-Chambal region to deal with any eventuality.

    The CM conducted an aerial survey of Bhind, Morena and Sheopur districts of the Gwalior-Chambal region, where the situation is grim owing to the continuous rise in Parvati, Chambal and other rivers.

    At the time of filing this news report, the CM was meeting flood victim families shifted to a shelter camp in Kuthiyana village of Morena district. 

    ALSO READ | Monsoon fury: Two washed away in Rajasthan; locals in MP affected by rain-related incidents

    Continuing aerial survey and boat connection of areas affected by floods, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached the 250 houses in flood-affected areas of Vidisha district. He mostly connected with the villages through a boat before wading through the knee-deep water to meet the affected families.

    While assuring the flood-hit families all possible help, Chouhan also distributed food packets to residents of settlements under the Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana.

    The CM conducted an aerial survey of the worst hit Mudrakheda and Tanaja Gadla villages of Vidisha district. While conducting the aerial survey, he connected over the phone with a local resident Narayan Singh Banwasi, who had earlier rang the CM office for help.

    He subsequently connected through his helicopter communication system with the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, already engaged in rescue operations, and coordinated with the IAF team in rescuing the stranded villagers from the flood-hit parts.

    Earlier in the day, the CM said that work should be started on a war footing for the restoration of drinking water and electricity supply, repair of damaged roads, broken culverts and cleanliness in the flood-affected areas.

    “To prevent the spread of diseases, medical teams should be formed to arrange disinfectant spraying and health test kits should be transported to the affected areas. It should be ensured that there is no shortage of machines and necessary staff to restore the situation in the most affected areas. If needed, machines and staff should be made available from other districts. There should be no shortage of resources anywhere,” he said

    He further said that the assessment of the loss of houses, household items, crops and cattle due to floods and excessive rains should be ensured in a transparent manner and with sensitivity.

    “In assessing the loss, an attitude of generosity towards poor families should be kept. The district administration should also make arrangements for food for the next few days for the families most affected by the floods. A dry ration can be provided to them. Social organisations should also be involved in providing essential materials and relief work to needy people,” the CM said.

    The CM said that the inspection of dams is necessary from the point of view of safety. He directed that the Water Resources Department and Narmada Valley Development Authority should conduct a micro-inspection of all the big and small dams under their control.

  • Monsoon fury: Two washed away in Rajasthan; locals in MP affected by rain-related incidents

    By PTI

    KOTA/ BHOPAL: Two people were washed away in floods and two others went missing in Baran and Bundi districts of Rajasthan, as heavy rains continued to lash the region on Tuesday.

    Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Minister Ramesh Meena on Tuesday toured the rain-affected areas of Karauli district.

    “Talked to the Principal Secretary to the CM and apprised him about the flood situation. Many villages have become islands. Villagers need help,” Meena tweeted.

    He instructed officials to arrange food and drinking water for the affected people.

    Torrential rains have created a flood-like situation in Rajasthan’s three districts – Jhalawar, Dholpur and Baran — where the army and disaster relief team carried out operations to rescue about 1,100 people from across the state, officials said on Tuesday.

    An IAF helicopter is also being deployed to airlift more than 50 people stuck in the waterlogged areas in Baran and Jhalawar districts while schools in all four districts of Kota division — Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi — have been shut, they said.

    Secretary of Disaster Management and Relief Department Ashutosh Pednekar said army columns have been deployed in Dholpur and Jhalawar districts.

    Rivers like Chambal, Parvan, Parvati, and Kalisindh are flooded and excess water from overflowing dams is being released by opening their gates.

    ALSO READ | At least 50 dead in rain-related incidents in Himachal, other states in three days

    The body of 35-year-old Premnarayan Suman, a resident of Dabri Kakaji village in Baran district, who had been swept away in the flood on Monday evening, was recovered Tuesday from near his village, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Anta circle) Tarun Kant Somani said.

    In Bundi district, Satyanarayan Prajapat, 50, a resident of Suwasda village fell into a flooded anicut on Tuesday morning while he was on his way to collect fodder for cattle near his village. Prajapat was found dead, Circle Inspector at (Nainwan) Babulal Meena said.

    The bodies of both, Suman and Prajapat, were handed over to their families after post-mortem later in the day.

    In Baran’s Shekhapur village, a 20-year-old man, identified as Ekram, was swept away while crossing a flooded brook along with his two friends Monday evening.

    WATCH |

     

    Locals rescued the two youths, while Ekram has not been located yet, Station House Officer (Kawai) Man Singh said.

    In Kota district, search operations were on to locate Kudeep Chauhan, who had fallen into a swollen Chambal river near Nayapura crematorium ground Monday evening.

    Another youth who had fallen into the Chambal while taking a selfie on Monday evening in Karbala area of Kota city, swam with the flow and came out on the other side of an over-bridge in Nayapura area, an eyewitness said.

    “In Dug town of Jhalawar district, Amritlal Tailor, his wife, and their three children were injured when their thatched house collapsed at around 5.30 am on Tuesday when they were asleep,” Dug SHO Amarnath said.

    “While Amritlal was referred to Jhalawar district hospital with fracture and critical injuries, four others from his family were under treatment at a local government hospital,” he said.

    Baran Collector Narendra Gupta said that 11 people, stranded for two days in the submerged Khurai village under Chabra police station of Baran district, were on Tuesday evening airlifted to a safe place by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.

    Swollen Chambal river following incessant monsoon rains, in Kota on Tuesday

    Jhalawar Collector Bharti Dixit said that 53 persons have been rescued through boats, while 49 others were still stuck by evening and attempts to rescue them were still on.

    During the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, 29 cm rainfall occurred in Jhalawar’s Dug, followed by 26 cm in Arnod (Pratapgarh) and Pidawa (Jhalawar), 23 cm in Bakani (Jhalawar), 17 cm in Gangdhar and Pachpahad (Jhalawar), 16 cm in Aklera (Jhalawar), 15 cm in Asnawar (Jhalawar), and 13 cm in Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar).

    The Met department warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Banswara and Dungarpur districts and heavy rainfall in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts on Tuesday.

    Locals face difficulties in heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh

    As heavy rainfalls continue to hit parts of Madhya Pradesh, the people of the state continue to face difficulties and bear damage to the public properties.

    In central and east Madhya Pradesh, it has been raining heavily for the last 24 hours. Also, there is a possibility of heavy rainfalls in Ratlam, Ujjain, Indore, Dhar, Jhabua and Alirajpur in the coming hours.

    Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed in the rain and flood-affected areas.

    In the last 24 hours, State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) together have rescued over 400 people from floods/excess rain in the state. The following number of people from floods/excess rain: Vidisha (190), Rajgarh (103), Ashoknagar (94), Raisen (7), Jabalpur (5), Mandla (3), Sidhi (2), Guna (3).

    ALSO READ | Rain fury brings life to a halt in several parts of MP, including state capital Bhopal

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj S Chouhan reviewed situations in rain-affected districts of the state and stated that assistance will be given by sending helicopters to Vidisha if need be.

    Chouhan said, “The people of 10 flood-affected villages from Vidisha and Guna districts will be airlifted using two helicopters. NDRF and SDRF teams are deployed for rescue operations in the rain and flood-affected districts of the state.”

    Later, CM reviewed the flood situation in Vidisha district.

    “We will try our best to give adequate compensation for damages due to flood situation. I will soon visit the flood-affected districts of the state,” he said.

    In the state, the Parvati river is flowing at its maximum water level in Guna and the Ken river in Panna is close to its maximum water level. The water level of the Narmada river is 271.56 metres. In Vidisha, the Betwa river and its tributaries are overflowing.

    According to the information received this morning, the water level in dams like Rajghat, Gandhi Sagar, Bargi, Tawa, Handiya, Mohanpura, Barna, Kolar, Omkareshwar, Kaliasot, Bhadbhada etc. has increased significantly.

    Also, 11 gates of Bansujara Dam in Tikamgarh have been opened. Earlier on Monday, a red alert for rainfall has been issued in 39 districts of Madhya Pradesh including Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Neemuch and Mandsaur.

    Apart from this, moderate rainfall is to take place in 12 districts including Indore, Gwalior, Dhar and Khargone.

    Due to the incessant rains, District Collector and Magistrate Neeraj Kumar Singh had on Monday announced that there will be a holiday in all schools of the Narmadapuram district.

    Eight trains diverted on Guna-Maksi route 

    At least eight trains were diverted on Tuesday following the inundation of tracks due to heavy rain, which disrupted the rail traffic between Guna and Maksi in Madhya Pradesh, an official said.

    “Due to incessant rains, flood water reached the railway tracks in Biaora and Kumbhraj, leading to disruption of the rail traffic on the Guna-Maksi route,” said Guna station master RS Meena.

    He said while the eight trains were diverted, the Bina-Nagda train was cancelled.

    Meena said the Bina-Nagda train will move back from Guna while Sabarmati Express was diverted to the Bina-Bhopal route.

    “Some more evening trains may be affected,” he said.

    Many parts of MP, including Bhopal, witnessed heavy downpours over the last few days, leading to power supply disruptions in the state capital and other places. Narmadapuram, Vidisha and Guna districts are hit by floods.

    (With inputs from ANI)

    KOTA/ BHOPAL: Two people were washed away in floods and two others went missing in Baran and Bundi districts of Rajasthan, as heavy rains continued to lash the region on Tuesday.

    Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Minister Ramesh Meena on Tuesday toured the rain-affected areas of Karauli district.

    “Talked to the Principal Secretary to the CM and apprised him about the flood situation. Many villages have become islands. Villagers need help,” Meena tweeted.

    He instructed officials to arrange food and drinking water for the affected people.

    Torrential rains have created a flood-like situation in Rajasthan’s three districts – Jhalawar, Dholpur and Baran — where the army and disaster relief team carried out operations to rescue about 1,100 people from across the state, officials said on Tuesday.

    An IAF helicopter is also being deployed to airlift more than 50 people stuck in the waterlogged areas in Baran and Jhalawar districts while schools in all four districts of Kota division — Kota, Baran, Jhalawar and Bundi — have been shut, they said.

    Secretary of Disaster Management and Relief Department Ashutosh Pednekar said army columns have been deployed in Dholpur and Jhalawar districts.

    Rivers like Chambal, Parvan, Parvati, and Kalisindh are flooded and excess water from overflowing dams is being released by opening their gates.

    ALSO READ | At least 50 dead in rain-related incidents in Himachal, other states in three days

    The body of 35-year-old Premnarayan Suman, a resident of Dabri Kakaji village in Baran district, who had been swept away in the flood on Monday evening, was recovered Tuesday from near his village, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Anta circle) Tarun Kant Somani said.

    In Bundi district, Satyanarayan Prajapat, 50, a resident of Suwasda village fell into a flooded anicut on Tuesday morning while he was on his way to collect fodder for cattle near his village. Prajapat was found dead, Circle Inspector at (Nainwan) Babulal Meena said.

    The bodies of both, Suman and Prajapat, were handed over to their families after post-mortem later in the day.

    In Baran’s Shekhapur village, a 20-year-old man, identified as Ekram, was swept away while crossing a flooded brook along with his two friends Monday evening.

    WATCH |

     

    Locals rescued the two youths, while Ekram has not been located yet, Station House Officer (Kawai) Man Singh said.

    In Kota district, search operations were on to locate Kudeep Chauhan, who had fallen into a swollen Chambal river near Nayapura crematorium ground Monday evening.

    Another youth who had fallen into the Chambal while taking a selfie on Monday evening in Karbala area of Kota city, swam with the flow and came out on the other side of an over-bridge in Nayapura area, an eyewitness said.

    “In Dug town of Jhalawar district, Amritlal Tailor, his wife, and their three children were injured when their thatched house collapsed at around 5.30 am on Tuesday when they were asleep,” Dug SHO Amarnath said.

    “While Amritlal was referred to Jhalawar district hospital with fracture and critical injuries, four others from his family were under treatment at a local government hospital,” he said.

    Baran Collector Narendra Gupta said that 11 people, stranded for two days in the submerged Khurai village under Chabra police station of Baran district, were on Tuesday evening airlifted to a safe place by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.

    Swollen Chambal river following incessant monsoon rains, in Kota on Tuesday

    Jhalawar Collector Bharti Dixit said that 53 persons have been rescued through boats, while 49 others were still stuck by evening and attempts to rescue them were still on.

    During the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, 29 cm rainfall occurred in Jhalawar’s Dug, followed by 26 cm in Arnod (Pratapgarh) and Pidawa (Jhalawar), 23 cm in Bakani (Jhalawar), 17 cm in Gangdhar and Pachpahad (Jhalawar), 16 cm in Aklera (Jhalawar), 15 cm in Asnawar (Jhalawar), and 13 cm in Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar).

    The Met department warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Banswara and Dungarpur districts and heavy rainfall in Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts on Tuesday.

    Locals face difficulties in heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh

    As heavy rainfalls continue to hit parts of Madhya Pradesh, the people of the state continue to face difficulties and bear damage to the public properties.

    In central and east Madhya Pradesh, it has been raining heavily for the last 24 hours. Also, there is a possibility of heavy rainfalls in Ratlam, Ujjain, Indore, Dhar, Jhabua and Alirajpur in the coming hours.

    Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed in the rain and flood-affected areas.

    In the last 24 hours, State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) together have rescued over 400 people from floods/excess rain in the state. The following number of people from floods/excess rain: Vidisha (190), Rajgarh (103), Ashoknagar (94), Raisen (7), Jabalpur (5), Mandla (3), Sidhi (2), Guna (3).

    ALSO READ | Rain fury brings life to a halt in several parts of MP, including state capital Bhopal

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj S Chouhan reviewed situations in rain-affected districts of the state and stated that assistance will be given by sending helicopters to Vidisha if need be.

    Chouhan said, “The people of 10 flood-affected villages from Vidisha and Guna districts will be airlifted using two helicopters. NDRF and SDRF teams are deployed for rescue operations in the rain and flood-affected districts of the state.”

    Later, CM reviewed the flood situation in Vidisha district.

    “We will try our best to give adequate compensation for damages due to flood situation. I will soon visit the flood-affected districts of the state,” he said.

    In the state, the Parvati river is flowing at its maximum water level in Guna and the Ken river in Panna is close to its maximum water level. The water level of the Narmada river is 271.56 metres. In Vidisha, the Betwa river and its tributaries are overflowing.

    According to the information received this morning, the water level in dams like Rajghat, Gandhi Sagar, Bargi, Tawa, Handiya, Mohanpura, Barna, Kolar, Omkareshwar, Kaliasot, Bhadbhada etc. has increased significantly.

    Also, 11 gates of Bansujara Dam in Tikamgarh have been opened. Earlier on Monday, a red alert for rainfall has been issued in 39 districts of Madhya Pradesh including Bhopal, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Neemuch and Mandsaur.

    Apart from this, moderate rainfall is to take place in 12 districts including Indore, Gwalior, Dhar and Khargone.

    Due to the incessant rains, District Collector and Magistrate Neeraj Kumar Singh had on Monday announced that there will be a holiday in all schools of the Narmadapuram district.

    Eight trains diverted on Guna-Maksi route 

    At least eight trains were diverted on Tuesday following the inundation of tracks due to heavy rain, which disrupted the rail traffic between Guna and Maksi in Madhya Pradesh, an official said.

    “Due to incessant rains, flood water reached the railway tracks in Biaora and Kumbhraj, leading to disruption of the rail traffic on the Guna-Maksi route,” said Guna station master RS Meena.

    He said while the eight trains were diverted, the Bina-Nagda train was cancelled.

    Meena said the Bina-Nagda train will move back from Guna while Sabarmati Express was diverted to the Bina-Bhopal route.

    “Some more evening trains may be affected,” he said.

    Many parts of MP, including Bhopal, witnessed heavy downpours over the last few days, leading to power supply disruptions in the state capital and other places. Narmadapuram, Vidisha and Guna districts are hit by floods.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • Flood-like situation in Ahmedabad after heavy rainfall

    By ANI

    AHMEDABAD: Heavy rainfall resulted in severe water logging and a flood-like situation in Ahmedabad on Monday. The Meteorological Department predicted light to moderate rainfall in the entire state for the next five days.

    Extremely heavy rainfall is expected in many districts of South Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch.

    “For the next 5 days, light to moderate rainfall is expected in the entire state. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected in many districts of South Gujarat, Saurashtra & Kutch. The intensity of rainfall will reduce by July 15,” said Dr Manorama Mohanty, Director, Meteorological Department.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday assured all possible help to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel as heavy rains caused flood-like situations in the state’s various areas.

    In a telephonic conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister, the Home Minister also took stock of the situation in the state that arose due to heavy rains affecting several villages.

    “With reference to flood-like situations arising due to heavy rains in various areas of Gujarat, I have spoken to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured all possible help from the Modi government,” Shah said in a tweet.

    Gujarat administration, State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in providing quick help to the affected people, the Home Minister further said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured Gujarat Chief Minister to provide all necessary help including NDRF to tackle the situation from the Centre to mitigate the sufferings of the people affected by the flood in the state.

    According to Gujarat CM PRO, Modi had a telephonic conversation with Patel to enquire about the dire situation created by widespread and heavy rains in the state.

    The Gujarat Chief Minister gave full details to the Prime Minister about the heavy rains that have lashed out across the state in the last 48 hours, especially in the South and Central Gujarat region and the situation that has arisen as a result of the same.

    Several villages in Gujarat have been cut off, prompting officials to deploy helicopters to rescue people. Several people have lost their lives so far due to the floods.NDRF teams are working to rescue people. Over 2000 people have been evacuated from various areas. Efforts to rescue more are on.

    The Meteorological department said that Gujarat’s situation is due to flash floods. The state received 18 inches of rainfall in just four hours. People are now struggling to procure even essential items.

    Gujarat’s capital Ahmedabad was inundated with a record of 115 mm plus rainfall in just three hours on Sunday, setting the highest record in the past five years in a single day in July. 

  • Heavy morning showers inundate parts of Mumbai; traffic movement affected 

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Heavy rains and strong winds lashed Mumbai and suburbs on Tuesday morning and flooded many parts of the city within a couple of hours, throwing road traffic out of gear at some places, officials said. 

    A tree fell near a petrol pump close to the Dockyard railway station of the Harbour Line, due to which traffic movement was affected. The tree was later moved aside and the traffic resumed but it was slow, a police official said.

    Some commuters claimed that the local trains, considered as the lifeline of Mumbai, were running late by five to 10 minutes. But, officials of the Western Railway and the Central Railway said the services were running normally.

    There was water-logging up to two feet at some places and vehicular movement was slow in some of the western suburbs, according to the Mumbai police.

    After light showers for a couple of days, heavy rains made a comeback to the metropolis on Monday night. The city and suburbs witnessed incessant showers on Tuesday morning.

    There was water-logging up to two feet at the Andheri subway, and traffic from there was diverted to the S V Road, a police official said. 

    Some areas near the south-bound end of the Bandra-Worli sea link, Mahalaxmi junction, Gamadia junction, Tardeo were also inundated up to 0.5 feet. A similar water-logging was witnessed at the Hindmata junction due to which the south-bound traffic was moving slow.

    Traffic movement was also slow in Pratap Nagar, Jogeshwari in the western suburbs, at some spots on the Western Express Highway, Netaji Palkar Chowk, Everard Nagar and near a family court in the Bandra-Kurla Complex, the official said.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to heavy rain in the city and suburbs with a possibility of a very heavy downpour at isolated places and occasional gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph over the next 24 hours.

    On Monday, the IMD issued an ‘orange’ alert for Mumbai, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the city for the next three days.

    The island city (south Mumbai) received 42.42 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period till 8 am on Tuesday as against 12.04 mm the day before.

    The eastern and western suburbs recorded 63.90 mm and 52.43 mm showers, respectively, compared to 22.12 mm and 12.76 mm the previous day, a civic official said.

    The MeT department issues four colour-coded predictions based on the prevailing weather conditions. The green colour indicates no warning, yellow is to keep a watch, orange is to stay alert, while red means a warning and that action needs to be taken.

  • Flood situation in Assam worsens, five more people die 

    By PTI

    GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam deteriorated on Tuesday with five more people losing their lives and 24.

    92 lakh people suffering in the deluge, officials said.

    Most parts of Silchar in Cachar district continued to remain underwater — over a week now, they said.

    Three people died in Cachar and one each in Morigaon and Dhubri.

    With these deaths, the toll in this year’s flood rose to 139, they added.

    Three people were also missing — two in Cachar and one in Chirang district, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

    In the last 24 hours, 24.92 lakh people have been affected by the floods in 28 districts of the state.

    On Monday, 21.52 lakh people were suffering in 22 districts.

    Brahmaputra, Beki, Kopili, Barak and Kushiyara were flowing above the danger marks, while waters were receding in most other rivers.

    Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the severely-affected districts of Bajali and Barpeta during the day and interacted with the affected people.

    In Bajali, he inspected a breached embankment at Kuruwa in Patacharkuchi and the flood situation at Charalpara Nayapara in Bhabanipur, besides visiting two relief camps.

    An amount of Rs 9 crore has been sanctioned for strengthening the embankment of Pahumara river and the construction of a road on it, he announced.

    In the worst-hit Barpeta district, Sarma visited three relief camps and assured the people that steps will be taken for dredging Harijan river.

    In Silchar, tourism minister Jayanta Malla Barua reviewed the flood relief and rescue operations.

    A team of the National Health Mission (NHM), led by its Assam Mission Director MS Lakshmi Priya, also visited the city to ensure proper medical facilities for the affected people.

    Medical officers and paramedical staff have been deployed and health camps started in the different relief centres for the prevention of diseases, a statement issued by NHM said.

    A total of 7,212 people were screened during the day, and those found to be very sick were sent to hospital.

    Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli said water pouches and water purifying tablets are being distributed among the people.

    Work is underway to repair the damaged dyke at Bethukandi, which led to the flooding of the city, Jalli said.

    A total of 2,389 villages in 72 revenue circles have been affected across the state, while 1,76,201 people have taken shelter in 555 relief camps, according to the ASDMA.

    Floodwaters have damaged 155 roads and five bridges, while seven embankments were breached — five in Hailakandi and two in Bishwanath, it said.

    A crop area of 85,673.62 hectares is still inundated and 4,304 animals were washed away.

    Largescale erosion was reported from Chirang, Dibrugarh and Hailakandi districts, among others.

    Two landslides were reported from Karimganj and Lakhimpur but there was no casualty.

  • Normal life affected as heavy rain inundates low-lying areas of three north Bengal districts

    By PTI

    JALPAIGURI: Low-lying areas of three districts in the northern part of West Bengal – Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Coochbehar -have been inundated following incessant rainfall over the past few days, officials said Saturday.

    Bhasusubba and Champadanga in Mal Block and areas such as Dhupguri, Moinaguri, and Sukanta Nagar in Jalpaiguri district are reeling under a flood-like situation, they said.

    Meanwhile, the Teesta river’s Gajoldoba barrage has been releasing water every hour due to heavy rainfall in Bhutan and Dooars region.

    The barrage has released 1802.82 cumec water at 1 pm on Saturday, the Assistant Engineer of the Irrigation Department, in Jalpaiguri, Tanai Talukdar said. The Jalpaiguri district administration and the town’s Municipality have started distributing relief materials to the affected people of the low-lying areas.

    The Vice-Chairman of Jalpaiguri Municipality, Saikat Chatterjee, said relief materials such as rice, dal, biscuits, drinking water, and medicines have been distributed among people of various low-lying areas in the district, including the Jalpaiguri Sadar area.

    In Alipuarduar town, water from rivers Kaljani and Sankosh entered the homes of people after the water level in the rivers increased following which they headed towards safer places.

    Two stretches in the Falakata state highway and Falakata-Dhupguri highway were washed away and repair work has been completed. Alipuarduar district received 2,366 mm of rainfall, and Cooch Behar received 2,233 mm of rainfall from 8 pm on Friday till 8 am on Saturday, officials said.

    Rice, dal, water, and medicines have been distributed to the affected people in various areas. In addition, dry food was also distributed in some places. In Alipurduar district alone, about 2,000 people living in low-lying areas had to be moved to safer places.

    The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall during the next five days in Alipurduar and Coochbehar, while the other districts are likely to experience thunderstorms during the next two days and heavy rain thereafter.