New Delhi: India’s monsoon season has unleashed its fury across several states, resulting in widespread destruction and a rising death toll. The heaviest impact has been felt in Uttar Pradesh, where at least 14 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents within 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday. The casualties were primarily attributed to lightning strikes, drowning, and snakebites. Districts such as Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Raebareli, Chandauli, Kushinagar, and Kanpur Dehat were particularly hard-hit.
The intensity of the rainfall has forced many schools in Uttar Pradesh to temporarily close. Significant waterlogging and flash floods in low-lying areas, exacerbated by overflowing drains, have disrupted routines. The Gautam Buddha Nagar district government has closed schools up to class 12th in Noida and Greater Noida for two days last week due to the severity of the situation.
West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district, particularly Ghatal, has also experienced severe flooding. Two deaths, including that of a seven-year-old girl, were confirmed, and search operations are still ongoing for those missing. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts renewed heavy rainfall in the state.
Rajasthan too faced the brunt of the monsoon with flash floods and tragic drowning incidents. Two 12-year-old cousins tragically drowned in a rain-fed stream while herding goats in Bhilwara. Heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging in Kota, Jhalawar, Tonk, and Bhilwara, turning streets into rivers. Jhalawar, for instance, witnessed an astounding 271 mm of rainfall within 24 hours. The IMD attributes this heavy rainfall to a low-pressure system originating from the Bay of Bengal, coupled with a stationary trough line.
Finally, Delhi was placed under a red alert after experiencing short but intense spells of rain accompanied by gusty winds of over 50 km/h. The IMD continues to issue forecasts and alerts across affected regions as the monsoon season progresses.