Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Heavy monsoon rains have disrupted normal life across several parts of northern and western India, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue multiple weather alerts.
In Delhi, the IMD has issued a Red Alert for the next three hours, warning of moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms until around 1:15 PM. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel as intense rainfall has caused severe waterlogging at major locations, including the railway station area and Munirka.
Tragedy struck in Delhi's Rohini area, where a partially constructed building collapsed, killing three people amid the heavy rains.
In Ghaziabad, District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandad declared a holiday for schools affiliated with all education boards after relentless overnight rainfall submerged roads, residential areas, and agricultural fields.
The IMD has also warned that Delhi is likely to receive more heavy rainfall on July 10, accompanied by strong winds of 40–50 kmph. The capital's maximum temperature is expected to reach 35°C, while the minimum is likely to remain around 26°C.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre in Chandigarh has forecast widespread rainfall across Punjab over the next three days. Heavy rainfall is expected in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, and Mohali, with authorities urging people to remain alert. Chandigarh is also expected to witness cloudy skies and intermittent rainfall throughout the day.
In Himachal Pradesh, the weather department has issued a heavy rainfall alert until July 12. Districts including Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Sirmaur, and Shimla are likely to receive intense showers, increasing the risk of waterlogging and landslides.
Rain-related incidents have claimed 63 lives in Maharashtra
The impact of the monsoon has also been severe in Maharashtra, where rain-related incidents have claimed 63 lives since June 1. According to official figures, 25 people died in wall collapse incidents, 23 due to lightning strikes, six after trees fell, and three were swept away in floodwaters. Additionally, 78 people have been injured in rain-related accidents across the state.
