IMD says monsoonal rains swing from 10% deficit to surplus in 8 days; Himachal, Jammu suffer heavily

The bountiful rains in many parts of India in the first eight days of July have bridged the rainfall deficit for the entire country, according to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) data. The cumulative rainfall in the monsoon season has reached 243.2 mm, which is 2 per cent above the normal of 239.1 mm.

However, there are large-scale regional variations in rainfall.

While the eastern and northeastern region has recorded a deficiency of 17 per cent (375.3 mm against a normal of 454 mm), north India has witnessed 59 per cent excess rainfall (199.7 mm against a normal of 125.5 per cent), the latest IMD data showed.

Central India, where a large number of farmers rely on monsoonal rains, has recorded 264.9 mm rainfall against a normal of 255.1 mm, an excess of 4 per cent.

The rainfall deficiency in south India has reduced from 45 per cent to 23 per cent.

At the end of June, the cumulative rainfall for the entire country was 148.6 mm, which was 10 per cent below the normal precipitation. 

However, the recent rains have significantly improved the situation.

The IMD had earlier predicted normal rainfall in July, ranging from 94 to 106 per cent of the long-period average.

However, below-normal precipitation is expected in many areas of northwest, northeast and southeast peninsular India.

The incessant rains over northwest India since Saturday have set all-time records at many places.

While Delhi recorded 153 mm rainfall in a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest in a single day in July since 1982, Chandigarh and Ambala reported record rainfall of 322.2 mm and 224.1 mm respectively.

Many areas in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, coastal Karnataka and Gujarat have recorded "heavy to very heavy" precipitation.

NDRF rescues 5 in Himachal Pradesh

The NDRF team rescued the people safely with the help of anchored rope and harness at 12.50 pm in Beas River near Chharudu village in HP's Kullu district.

"Operation is still on to rescue other three-four trapped victims from adjoining piece of land in Beas River," NDRF officials said.

Amid continuous rainfall in Mandi and Kullu of Himachal Pradesh, the water level in Beas River has increased causing landslides and flash floods in various regions.

The Kullu police informed that traffic movement from Kullu and Manali has been restricted due to the falling of stones at many places on the Kullu-Manali road and due to the increasing water level in the Beas River.

"Due to heavy rains, the movement of vehicles from Kullu and Manali towards Atal Tunnel and Rohtang has been completely stopped due to falling of stones at many places on the Kullu-Manali road and due to the increase in water level in Beas river near Ramshila", Kullu Police said.

In another incident, six people were evacuated safely by a team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Sunday who were trapped in their homes due to the rise in the water in the lower market of Pandoh in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.

"Today, on Sunday at around 07:15 in the morning, according to the information received from the District Disaster Management Authority, Mandi, six people were trapped in their homes due to the rise in the water level of Vyas River in the lower market of Pandoh. Safely evacuated by the SDRF Mandi team," HP SDRF tweeted.

Trains cancelled on Shimla-Kalka track 

HP Traffic, Tourist and Railways police on Sunday informed that due to ongoing heavy rains and waterlogging, the train movement on the Shimla-Kalka heritage rail track is cancelled.

"Train movement on the Shimla-Kalka heritage rail track is cancelled for today due to ongoing heavy rains and subsequent slides and waterlogging," HP Traffic, Tourist and Railways Police tweeted.

The railway track has also been closed between Koti and Sanwara railway stations at Tunnel No. 10 due to heavy rainfall on the Kalka-Shimla railway route in Himachal Pradesh. 

Two killed in landslide in J&K

Two persons were killed and one injured on Sunday when a landslide hit a bus in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district.

Officials said that a bus was hit by a landslide in the Gandoh village of the district.

The bus was going to Jammu.

"Three people were injured in this accident. They were immediately shifted to hospital after rescue teams managed to remove the landslide debris that had trapped them.

"Two injured persons died in the hospital while the third injured person is under treatment," officials said.

(With inputs from ANI, IANS)