Hills in havoc: Buildings crumble, roads blocked in Himachal Pradesh; Uttarakhand on high alert

NEW DELHI: Most parts of India are likely to receive above-normal rainfall in July, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday, warning of potential flooding in Uttarakhand and Haryana. With monsoon activity intensifying, authorities have been urged to monitor river catchment areas closely and remain on alert for landslides and waterlogging, particularly in vulnerable states like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.High-risk zones identifiedAddressing a virtual briefing, IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra outlined the core areas expected to receive intense precipitation this month. These include:"We should monitor the catchment areas of rivers such as the Godavari, Mahanadi and Krishna," Mohapatra said. "ur models show a high probability of above-normal rainfall in the upper Mahanadi catchment, which includes Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. There are several other rivers in the region. We must closely watch rainfall activity and the water levels in reservoirs."Uneven rainfall patterns across the countryThe northeast, large parts of eastern India, and the extreme southern peninsula are expected to see below-normal rainfall. Temperatures are likely to remain normal to below normal in most areas, although above-normal maximum temperatures may affect parts of the northeast, northwest, east, and south.Himachal Pradesh: Orange alert issuedIn Himachal Pradesh, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts, and predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated locations. Over the past 24 hours, Pandoh (Mandi) recorded the highest rainfall at 130 mm, followed by Mandi town (120 mm) and Sunni (113 mm) in Shimla.Senior IMD scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma confirmed that rainfall activity will remain high until July 1, after which intensity is expected to taper off slightly. However, intermittent moderate showers will continue across the plains and mid-hill districts until July 6.So far, Himachal has recorded 34 per cent above-normal rainfall for the monsoon season, with Mandi, Solan, and Hamirpur districts reporting particularly high figures. Tribal districts Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, however, remain in a rainfall deficit.Uttarakhand: Landslides, highway disruptions & yatra suspensionIn Uttarakhand, heavy rainfall has triggered landslides along the Yamunotri National Highway, blocking sections of the road and damaging essential infrastructure. Superintendent of police Sarita Dobhal visited the landslide zones and reviewed safety protocols.The Barkot-Yamunotri road, severely damaged after a cloudburst near Barkot, was partially repaired. The incident killed two workers and left seven others missing. The Char Dham Yatra, which was briefly suspended due to weather warnings, has now resumed.Electricity and water supply were affected in areas of Tehri Garhwal, including Agrakhaal, Chamba, and Jakhindhar.Jammu & Kashmir: Chenab river swells amid incessant rainIn Jammu & Kashmir, the Chenab River continues to swell due to relentless rainfall over the past week, forcing authorities to open multiple spillway gates of the Salal Dam in Reasi. Local residents in low-lying areas like Talwada, Chinka, and Jendi have been advised to move to higher ground and avoid riverbanks.River rafting has been suspended, and NHPC teams, along with local officials, are on round-the-clock patrols.DIG Shridhar Patil of the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range acknowledged the risk. "All of you must have noticed that the water level has risen in the Chenab River. One incident has also come to our notice in the Doda district, in which some people have lost their lives. I appeal to all people not to go near the rivers... The water level is very high. Do not put yourself at risk," he told ANI.