Monsoon wreaks havoc in India: 11 killed in Assam, Uttarakhand; flood alert in Jharkhand

At least 11 people were killed in Assam and Uttarakhand as torrential monsoon rain triggered landslides, house collapses and flooding across Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country. Rivers rose above danger levels, homes and roads were inundated, train services were disrupted, and schools were closed as heavy rain continued to affect several districts. The incidents took place on Tuesday (September 1).

Uttarakhand sees seven deaths

Uttarakhand recorded the highest number of deaths, with seven people killed in separate incidents. Five died in Almora after two house walls collapsed, while two others were killed after a car was swept away by a swollen current in Dehradun.

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The Dehradun-Mussoorie highway was hit by multiple landslides, falling boulders and road subsidence, leaving several stretches blocked or narrowed.

Four killed in Assam landslides

In Assam, four people died in two landslides in Guwahati. A couple and their 11-year-old daughter were killed when a landslide flattened their house in Mathgharia while they were asleep. Their 19-year-old son was rescued from the debris.

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A 65-year-old woman died in another incident after a rock partially damaged her house. Several parts of Guwahati were submerged, with people wading through knee-deep water on flooded roads.

Odisha hit by fresh flooding

Odisha faced fresh flooding after a low-pressure system brought heavy rain to the northern districts. Mayurbhanj and Jajpur were the worst affected, with the Budhabalanga and Baitarani rivers inundating 147 villages. Two wards of Baripada were also waterlogged, and more than 2,000 people were shifted to relief centres in Mayurbhanj.

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“Flood water and heavy rain continue to affect people in 146 villages and one urban area in Mayurbhanj and Jajpur districts. Immediate priorities have been given to access to cut-off habitations, supply of cooked food and safe drinking water,” Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil said.

Rivers rise across Odisha

Floodwater entered 84 villages and two urban wards in Mayurbhanj, while 62 villages in Jajpur were affected. Schools in six Mayurbhanj blocks were closed until conditions improved. In Balasore, the Jalaka River reached the danger mark at Mathani Road Bridge, while the Subarnarekha continued to rise.

The Baitarani at Akhuapada in Bhadrak was also close to its danger level. Dasarathpur in Jajpur had remained affected by flooding for nearly 56 days since early July.

Jharkhand under flash-flood warning

Jharkhand was placed under a flash-flood warning covering 10 districts. Dumaria recorded 217 mm of rain, followed by Dumri with 162.2 mm and Mahuadawar with 146.2 mm. The IMD issued a red alert for Garhwa, Palamu, Simdega and West Singhbhum.

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In Jamshedpur, the Kharkhai and Subarnarekha rivers crossed their red marks. The Kharkhai at Adityapur Bridge reached 133.10 metres, 4.10 metres above the danger level. The Subarnarekha stood at 122.60 metres at Mango Bridge against a red mark of 121.50 metres. Residents in low-lying areas were asked to move to safer places.

UP faces widespread floods

Uttar Pradesh also faced widespread flooding. In Chitrakoot, the Mandakini rose around four metres above the danger mark, submerging Ramghat and the Nirmohi Akhara. A bridge was damaged, while SDRF and NDRF teams and Army helicopters were used to evacuate people trapped in floodwaters.

Train services on the Mailani-Nanpara section were suspended after water seepage was reported, while rain also damaged the Ganga Expressway in Unnao.

Also Read: Monsoon mayhem: Floods ravage Kerala, Odisha, Assam; IMD warns of more rain

Ganga crosses danger mark in Varanasi

The water level of the Ganga river crossed the warning mark in Varanasi on Wednesday, prompting the district administration to suspend all boat operations and step up monitoring of flood-affected areas.

According to the Central Water Commission, the water level of the river in the district was recorded at 70.29 metres, against the warning level of 70.26 metres. The danger level is 71.26 metres, while the highest flood level has been fixed at 73.90 metres.

In view of the flood situation, all boat operations in the Ganga have been suspended, officials said, urging devotees and residents not to venture onto the ghats or into areas with strong currents.

Arrangements are being made to shift affected families to safer locations as required, besides ensuring adequate relief and rescue measures, officials said.

(With inputs from agencies)