Heavy rains lash states across India, triggering flood alerts and disruptions

Heavy monsoon showers have battered large swathes of India, triggering flood-like situations in parts of Uttar Pradesh, red alerts in North Bengal, and waterlogging in the national capital.

In Kerala, rain is set to intensify further, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounding orange and yellow alerts across multiple districts. As the country enters a peak monsoon phase, state governments are racing to respond with relief efforts and infrastructure checks amid reports of overflowing rivers, landslides, and urban flooding.

Kerala is bracing for more intense rain, with orange alerts issued for Idukki, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts for Sunday, and yellow alerts for all 14 districts through Tuesday. The IMD has forecast isolated heavy rain (64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours) and very heavy rain (115.5 mm to 204.4 mm) in the alerted regions.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, a cyclonic circulation over south Chhattisgarh and an offshore trough from Maharashtra to the Kerala coast are contributing to the rain. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts due to the likelihood of strong winds and rough conditions.

In Uttar Pradesh, incessant rains have brought parts of Prayagraj to a standstill. Streets in the Karela Bagh area are submerged, with people resorting to boats to commute. The overflowing Sasur Khaderi river has caused knee-deep waterlogging in residential areas.

In Varanasi, the River Ganga has risen dangerously close to the red mark, reaching 69.98 metres against the 71.26-metre danger level. Floodwaters have already reached the top of Tulsi Ghat, prompting a ban on boat operations.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has mobilised an 11-member ministerial team across 12 affected districts. Officials have been instructed to stay on the ground and ensure round-the-clock monitoring, proper food and medicine supplies, and swift drainage of waterlogged areas. Relief camps are being stocked with essential items, especially for women and children.

The IMD has issued a red alert for Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Kalimpong in North Bengal, warning of very heavy rainfall until Tuesday. An orange alert is in effect for Darjeeling and Cooch Behar. Rivers like Teesta, Torsa, and Jaldhaka are expected to swell, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in the hill districts.

Heavy rain is also forecast for North Dinajpur, Malda, and South Dinajpur. Meanwhile, South Bengal, including Kolkata, will face high humidity without significant rainfall until midweek.

In the national capital, Sunday’s heavy rainfall brought relief from humidity but also led to waterlogging in multiple areas such as Connaught Place, Minto Bridge, and Sarojini Nagar. The IMD had predicted light to moderate rainfall in the region, and more showers are expected in the coming days.

The rains sparked a political exchange between AAP and the BJP-led city government. Former CM Arvind Kejriwal criticised the state of drainage infrastructure, sharing videos of waterlogged roads. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has since conducted inspections and promised quicker implementation of modern drainage systems and real-time monitoring to address the persistent issue.

As rainfall continues in multiple parts of the country, the IMD remains on high alert. Fishermen, hill residents, and urban commuters are advised to stay updated with local weather warnings. Relief operations are underway, but the scale and spread of the rainfall present logistical challenges that will require coordinated efforts across state and central agencies.

- with inputs from IANS and ANI