Ludhiana/Chandigarh, July 1, 2025 — Several parts of North India, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, are reeling under the impact of continuous heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh weather alert for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Punjab on Tuesday. The rains have brought some relief from heat but have caused widespread disruption across multiple states.
Punjab: Showers Bring Relief from Heat, Rainfall Continues
Punjab witnessed significant rainfall over the past two days, bringing down the day temperatures by over 4.8°C from the seasonal average. Chandigarh recorded 71.5 mm of rainfall between 3 AM and 8 AM on Monday. On Sunday, the city received 121.8 mm. Most districts in Punjab reported maximum temperatures between 28–30°C and minimums around 24–26°C.
The IMD has predicted heavy rains and strong winds for multiple districts in Punjab again on Tuesday. People have been advised to remain indoors during lightning activity and avoid low-lying areas due to waterlogging.
Himachal Pradesh: Building Collapses in Shimla, 259 Roads Shut
In Himachal Pradesh, the relentless rain has led to serious consequences. On Monday morning around 8:10 AM, a five-storey building collapsed in the Bhattakufar area of Shimla. Fortunately, the building had already been vacated the night before after cracks appeared.
Earlier that morning at around 3:30 AM, a cloudburst in Sikkaseri village of Rampur diverted massive water flow toward the village, sweeping away nearly 35 goats and sheep.
Reports from the Himachal State Disaster Management Authority confirm that 14 houses and 14 cattle sheds have been damaged, and three deaths have been reported so far. 259 roads remain blocked, and operations at Gaggal Airport have been suspended due to poor visibility.
Haryana, UP, Bihar Face Flood-Like Conditions
In Sirsa district of Haryana, a severe storm resulted in ten trees falling onto railway tracks, forcing the Bathinda–Rewari passenger train to apply emergency brakes while traveling at 110 km/h. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, continuous rains have swollen river levels, leading to flood-like situations in several low-lying areas. In Uttar Pradesh alone, six people lost their lives due to rain-related incidents.
Uttarakhand: Chardham Yatra Disrupted
In Uttarakhand, the Chardham Yatra has partially resumed at Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Hemkund Sahib, while the route to Yamunotri remains closed. Over 1,000 pilgrims are stranded as landslides and damaged roads have cut off access. Three key stretches of the Yamunotri Highway have been damaged and are expected to be repaired in the next 48 hours.
Government Response and Alerts
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and respective state disaster response teams are on standby. District authorities in all affected areas have been directed to remain on high alert. Relief camps have been set up for displaced families, and rescue operations are ongoing in flood-prone districts.
The IMD has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, especially to hilly regions, and warned of the risk of landslides, flash floods, and falling trees or power lines due to strong winds and saturated soil.
📌 Conclusion:
With the monsoon intensifying, North India is witnessing a period of extreme weather. While rains have offered a brief reprieve from heat, they have also triggered landslides, flooding, and infrastructure damage. Citizens are advised to closely follow IMD advisories and state bulletins for real-time safety updates.
