Persistent rainfall across several states has disrupted normal life. From Mumbai to Himachal Pradesh and Odisha to Jammu and Kashmir, the situation ranges from landslides to blocked roads and pathways. In Mumbai's Ghatkopar area, seven people died after debris from a hillside collapsed onto three houses. In Himachal Pradesh, 313 roads are closed, and 75 people have lost their lives in rain and weather-related disasters since June 30. Amidst this, weather warnings extending until August 18 have heightened concerns.

How did the landslide in Mumbai cause seven deaths?
A landslide occurred around 3:45 AM on Wednesday at Gausia Chawl in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area. A section of the hillside and debris collapsed onto three houses. The injured were taken to the hospital, where six people—including three children—were declared dead. Ramesh Yadav passed away while undergoing treatment. Seven people were injured in the incident and are currently receiving treatment. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the site to assess the rescue operations and announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the deceased.

How severe is the crisis caused by the rain in Himachal?
Continuous rain and landslides have led to the closure of 313 roads in Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, 65 drinking water schemes and 112 transformers have been affected. Mandi district has the highest number of closures, with 117 roads blocked. Other affected areas include Chamba (74 roads closed), Kullu (60), Shimla (36), and Sirmaur (13). According to the state government, 75 people have died and damages exceeding ₹911 crore have been incurred due to rain and weather-related disasters since June 30.

What is the weather alert up to August 18?
The Meteorological Department has issued updates regarding the weather in Himachal Pradesh through August 18.
A 'Yellow Alert' for heavy rainfall at isolated places has been issued. This means that in hilly regions, the risk of landslides and road disruptions accompanying the rainfall persists.
It is essential for people to keep a close watch on weather conditions.
This is particularly important for areas where roads, drinking water schemes, and power infrastructure have already been affected.

Which districts in Odisha are under the highest alert?
A warning has been issued for intensified rainfall in Odisha due to a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal. A 'Red Alert' for heavy rainfall has been issued for Balasore and Bhadrak for Thursday morning; both districts are expected to receive over 20 cm of rain. An 'Orange Alert' for very heavy rainfall is in place for Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Dhenkanal. There is also a likelihood of strong winds (30–40 kmph), thunderstorms, and lightning strikes in several areas.

What is the situation in Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand?
Heavy rains have caused floods, landslides, and waterlogging in the Kishtwar, Kathua, and Pulwama districts of Jammu & Kashmir. In Kishtwar, the Gulabgarh-Machail route was disrupted after a section of the road was washed away. In Kathua, the Tikri bend on the Bani-Basohli road was closed due to a landslide. Traffic had to be halted on the Srinagar-Anantnag route in Pulwama's Awantipora area following waterlogging. In Uttarakhand, the Madmaheshwar Yatra has been temporarily suspended since August 7 due to rain and landslides.

What impact has the rain had in Rajasthan?
The monsoon is active in Rajasthan as well, with heavy rainfall recorded in several districts. Basi in Chittorgarh recorded 227 mm of rainfall. In Udaipur, two gates of the Uday Sagar Dam were opened by one foot each after the water level crossed the 21-foot mark. In Kota, the Mukundara Tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway had to be closed after about a foot of water accumulated inside. Traffic was disrupted due to waterlogging in several cities, including Jaipur. The Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for rain across all districts of the state on Thursday.

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