Torrential Rains Trigger Flooding in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh; Rescue Efforts in Full Swing as Red Warning Alerted

As the Yamuna river threatens to flood the nation's capital, neighboring states are already grappling with dire conditions. Heavy rains have inundated large areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, causing significant damage in these regions.

The continuous downpour since the weekend has resulted in rivers, including the Yamuna at Hathnikund Barrage, flowing at dangerous levels. The barrage has released approximately 2 lakh cusecs of water into the river, leading to widespread flooding in several parts of Punjab and Haryana.

WATCH: YAMUNA RIVER OVERFLOWS; DELHI ON RED ALERT

The devastating floods have caused unprecedented infrastructure destruction in the affected states. Substantial breaches in distributaries and minor canals have resulted in water submerging vast agricultural lands in Punjab. Furthermore, the heavy rainfall has washed away significant stretches of roads and led to building collapses in some areas.

Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are conducting rescue and evacuation operations. Residents of low-lying areas along the surging Sutlej and Markanda rivers have been relocated to safer locations.

Chandigarh, having experienced record-breaking 24-hour rainfall, has opened all floodgates of Sukhna Lake to alleviate rising water levels. Residents of nearby areas are advised to exercise caution.

Thankfully, authorities expect a decrease in rainfall intensity, providing some relief from the ongoing disaster. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts lighter to moderate rains across the northwestern region, with pockets of heavy to very heavy showers specifically over extreme north Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh until Monday, July 10. A red warning, signaling the need for immediate action, has been issued for the combined subdivision of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on Monday.