Monsoon Havoc in North India: Red Alerts Issued as Floods, Landslides Worsen

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand for Monday, warning of more extreme weather ahead.

In Punjab, authorities are bracing for more flooding and mudslides, especially in the hilly catchment areas. These could worsen waterlogging in already vulnerable low-lying regions. The state government has ordered the closure of all colleges, universities, and educational institutions until Wednesday, September 3.

“The safety of students in hostels is the responsibility of the institutions,” said Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, urging all residents to follow local advisories. A red alert has been sounded for districts including Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Nawanshahr, while other districts remain under orange or yellow alerts. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been distributing relief supplies, including drinking water, in flood-affected areas.

In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami warned that the next 24–48 hours would be crucial as heavy rainfall continues. Red alerts have been issued for Almora, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Champawat, while other districts are on orange alert.

“Our entire machinery — including the district administrations, NDRF, SDRF, and other departments — is on high alert. We’re also closely monitoring the Nanak Sagar Dam, which is currently flowing just five feet below the danger mark,” Dhami said.

Many residents have already been relocated from rain-damaged homes to safer areas, and rescue operations are ongoing in vulnerable regions.

Himachal Pradesh has been one of the worst-hit states this monsoon. Since the start of the season, over 300 people have lost their lives due to landslides, flash floods, and other rain-related disasters. Just on Monday, 16 people died in Chamba during the Manimahesh Yatra, which was later suspended due to dangerous conditions, stranding more than 15,000 devotees. Another three people died in Shimla after a landslide buried a home.

The state’s infrastructure has been severely impacted:

819 roads are blocked, including 3 national highways

1,236 electricity transformers are out of service

424 water supply schemes have been disrupted

Districts like Chamba (253 roads affected), Mandi (206), Kullu (175), and Kangra (61) are among the worst affected.

A fresh red alert has been issued for the next three days in districts such as Una, Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmaur, raising fears of more landslides and flooding. Relief and rescue teams are continuing their efforts amid extremely challenging conditions.