The southwest monsoon has already hit Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported. It is also likely to advance further to Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi in the next 48 hours, the IMD added. The chances are high for it to do so.
These locations may not have received the monsoon officially, but they are already waterlogged. There is heavy rain that is lashing, turning dry roads into slippery streams. Landslides are taking roads out of commission at numerous locations in Himachal.
In Uttar Pradesh, Deadly Lightning
It is difficult to obey your senses when rain is pleasant and deadly. Four kids have been killed when lightning hit them in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district. This is what occurred in two such accidents.
In another village close by, a boy aged 15 and a girl aged 12 were hit. Both of them did not survive; one at the scene and the other because of treatment. These gruesome scenes are the price that is paid for the beauty of the season.
Chhattisgarh: River Turns Ruthless
At the same time, four individuals including two little children were washed away by the Maini River that had breached its banks. Searches are being continued, but so far, nothing has been recovered from them. The people are praying, rescue personnel are working day and night, but hope is fading.
Landslides and Road Closures in Himachal
Rain isn’t new to Himachal, but this time it came with fury. Places like Dharamshala and Gaggal are dealing with blocked roads, due to heavy landslides. Vehicles are stuck. Travellers are stranded. Water has also flooded roads in most of the towns. 84.7 mm rain, one of the highest in the state, fell in Nahan.
The IMD has issued a warning for even more intense rain in the coming days. Individuals are being asked to remain indoors and not go to hill stations.
Rajasthan Soaked with Heavy Showers
Over in Rajasthan, the monsoon has literally made a splash. Bijolia in Bhilwara collected a whopping 114 mm of rain in one day. Jaipur, Kota, and Shahpura were not too far behind, each bringing over 100 mm. Roads turned into flowing streams.
Rains Bring Cool Relief to Punjab & Haryana
Rain accompanied welcome freshness with the chill in Haryana and Punjab. 9.7 mm rain was received in Chandigarh cities during early morning hours, and heavy rain was received by Gurugram and Faridabad. Rain is to remain in these places till June 25.
Monsoon has come, drums rolling hard and long. Monsoon breezes bring a breath of hope and calm but also the turbulence of overflowing rivers, fractured hearts, and shifting hillsides. Take care, stay warm, and every so often, lift your gaze, the sky still holds stories worth seeing.
