Chandigarh, Sept. 3: Heavy rainfall across northern India has triggered floods, landslides, and waterlogging in several states, prompting authorities to issue red alerts, evacuate vulnerable villages, and mobilize relief operations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of moderate to intense spells of rain over the next three hours in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, raising the risk of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging in low-lying and hilly areas.
“People living in vulnerable areas are urged to remain alert and follow all official advisories,” the IMD noted.
In Jammu and Kashmir, districts under red alert include Poonch, Mirpur, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar. In Punjab, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Sangrur have been notified, while in Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and Solan face similar warnings. Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, and SAS Nagar are also on high alert.
In Patiala, officials issued an urgent flood alert for Devigarh areas after the Tangri River rose close to the danger mark following heavy rains in upstream Ambala and Kala Amb. Authorities warned that the river is expected to swell further in the next 10–12 hours, threatening villages along both banks. Villages likely to be affected include Mehmodpur Rudki, Devinagar, Harigarh, Rohar Jagir, Lelan Jagir, Dudhangujran, Adaltiwala, Maghar Sahib on the right bank, and Mohalgarh, Khansa, Rattakhera, Aujan, Khatauli, Ganeshpur, Kharabgarh, Bibipur, Jodhpur, Budhmor, and Sadikpur Biran on the left bank. Officials urged residents to remain vigilant and follow local directives.
Meanwhile, in Ropar district of Punjab, evacuation operations have begun in several Bela villages after the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) announced plans to release 75,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej due to high inflows into Bhakra Dam. By Wednesday morning, the dam’s water level had reached 1,678 feet, just two feet below the maximum permitted level of 1,680 feet. Inflows into the dam were recorded at 86,822 cusecs, while outflows stood at 65,042 cusecs. Villages including Harsa Bela, Bela Ramgarh, Sensowal, and Singhpura are being evacuated as road connectivity has been disrupted. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains assured residents that shelter arrangements have been made in government facilities. “People should move to safer areas immediately. Our teams are on the ground to assist with evacuation and relief,” he said. Authorities also noted that Pong Dam is under pressure, with water levels exceeding its optimum capacity by three feet.
In Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, a late-night landslide struck a residential area in inner Akhara Bazaar, damaging a house and leaving two people feared trapped under debris. Continuous rainfall in the region has heightened risks of slope failures and flash floods. One occupant narrowly escaped by jumping through a window moments before the collapse. A local resident said, “It happened so fast—everything started shaking, and before we knew it, the wall came crashing down.” Rescue operations were launched immediately, with district administration and emergency services teams working through the night. Officials noted that unstable terrain and ongoing rainfall were hampering efforts, and the area has been cordoned off as a precaution.
Authorities in Haryana’s Tricity also announced school closures for Wednesday due to heavy rainfall. A notification from the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula stated, “In view of the ongoing heavy rainfall in Panchkula district and keeping in mind the safety of students, a holiday is hereby declared today, 03.09.2025 (Wednesday), for all government and private schools and Anganwadi centres in the district.” Continuous downpours have caused massive waterlogging, damage to public property, and traffic snarls across key roads and junctions.
Amid the crisis, political leaders have stepped in to provide relief. Punjab’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who has been politically inactive in the state for several months, has returned to the public eye, visiting flood-devastated areas in Gurdaspur last week atop a tractor. On Wednesday, he allocated Rs 3.25 crore from his MPLADS fund for flood relief in the state, emphasizing the importance of immediate support to affected communities.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also scheduled to visit flood-hit Punjab on Thursday. Confirming his trip on Wednesday, Chouhan said he had spoken with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to assess the scale of damage. “I will reach Punjab tomorrow morning and meet my brothers and sisters in the flood-affected areas. In this hour of crisis, the Central Government stands firmly with the people of Punjab and will provide all possible assistance,” he said.
Officials across affected states have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid venturing near rivers or slopes, and follow evacuation directives without delay. Emergency response teams are continuously monitoring rivers, dams, and vulnerable areas to respond to flash floods, landslides, and other hazards.
Authorities also highlighted the compounding impact of consecutive days of rainfall. “The soil in hilly regions is saturated, increasing the likelihood of landslides. Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas should remain alert at all times,” a disaster management official said.
As rescue and relief operations continue, residents have been urged to maintain calm, stay connected with local authorities, and prioritize safety over property. Further updates are expected as water levels, weather forecasts, and emergency responses evolve in the coming hours.
