The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a red alert for several districts across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, northern Punjab, northern Haryana, eastern Rajasthan, southwest Uttar Pradesh, northwest & eastern Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
As per the IMD nowcast, moderate to intense spells of rain are expected over the next few hours across these states.
In Jammu & Kashmir, districts, including Poonch, Mirpur, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar are under red alert.
In flood-hit Punjab, red alert warnings have been issued for Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawashahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Sangrur.
Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and Solan in Himachal Pradesh are also under similar warnings.
Heavy rains are also likely in Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, and SAS Nagar.
The IMD has warned that the areas under red alert face the risks of flash floods, waterlogging and landslides.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jammu & Kashmir witnessed significant rainfall, with Reasi, where a landslide had killed dozens last month, recieving 203 mm rain, followed by Katra at 193 mm, Batote at 157.3 mm, Doda at 114 mm, and Baderwah at 96.2 mm.
In Jammu Division, all government and private schools have been ordered to remain closed on September 3.
Punjab continues to reel under floods
Relentless downpour, release of water from various dams, including Bhakra and overflowing of rivers, have worsened the flood situation in Punjab.
At least 29 people have died and hundreds of acres of land have been inundated due to floods. Twelve districts of the state are severely affected by the floods.
People living in the low-lying areas near Satluj and Raavi are being evacuated. The administration has urged those, who could, to reach relief camps.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the present situation in the state.
Relief operations are currently underway on war-footing to rescue stranded people from the flood-affected areas.