Monsoon fury leads to chaos across states

Flash floods, landslides and lightning strikes triggered chaos in several states as the monsoon blanketed much of India in a sudden surge, leaving at least 10 people dead and scores stranded on highways.

NEW DELHI/ MANDI/ CHANDIGARH/DEHRADUN: Six of the deaths occurred in Himachal Pradesh since Saturday, and the remaining in Rajasthan on Monday, the first day of the monsoon onset that brought with it thunderclouds and lightning. The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been suspended, officials there added, and heavy rain was forecast in much of the Himalayan ranges and faraway coastal Bengal.

This year’s monsoon has undergone an unusual surge, having lagged for most of June by bringing rains only to the southern peninsula before sweeping almost the entire country within a matter of days last weekend. It hit Mumbai and Delhi on the same day, arriving close to a fortnight late in the financial capital and a day in advance in the national capital — the first time this has occurred since 1961.

Much of the rain-related crisis was in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, where several highways, including the Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH44) and Chandigarh-Manali highway were closed, stranding hundreds of people. “Jammu-Srinagar national highway was restored partially. People are advised not to travel on NH-44 without confirming the status from traffic control units,” said a Jammu & Kashmir police official.

Superintendent of police, Mandi district in Himachal, Soumya Sambasivan, said they are trying to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

“Vehicular traffic beyond Mandi bus stand is being allowed only for travelling towards Jogindernagar and heavy vehicles coming from Bilaspur side are not allowed beyond Nagchala,” she said.

Onkar Chand Sharma, principal secretary, disaster management, Himachal Pradesh, said, “Six people have died till now and around 10 people are injured. A total of 303 animals have died. The complete report is still awaited.”