From Punjab floods to Chennai cloudburst: India battles relentless monsoon havoc

NDRF personnel during a search and rescue operation at a flood-affected area, in Punjab. (Image: @NDRFHQ/X via PTI)

India is reeling under the fury of an intense monsoon as torrential rains, cloudbursts, and floods wreak havoc across multiple states. From landslides in Jammu & Kashmir and flash floods in Uttarakhand to record rainfall in Chennai and the worst flooding in Punjab in nearly four decades, the deluge has left behind a trail of destruction, claiming lives, displacing thousands, and crippling infrastructure.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the wet spell will persist into September, raising concerns about further floods and landslides in vulnerable regions.

Read: IMD forecasts above-normal rainfall in September; warns of flood, landslide risks

Jammu & Kashmir: landslides, cloudbursts and mounting toll

Jammu & Kashmir continues to reel under the relentless impacts of the monsoon. Recent tragedies include a landslide in Reasi that “flattened a residential house,” with seven family members feared dead, and a cloudburst in Ramban that added further devastation and triggered flash floods. Emergency rescue operations are underway amid rising casualties.

In Ramban’s Rajgarh area, flash floods “damaged two houses and a school,” claiming at least four lives. Rescue missions involve local volunteers, police, SDRF, and other agencies racing to locate missing persons and assist victims.

Read: J&K's Kishtwar faces rising risk of glacial lake outburst floods, warns report

Overall, the Union Territory’s cumulative death toll has climbed to around 130, with about 140 injured and 32 pilgrims still missing. The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage remains suspended.

Northern hills & Uttarakhand: flash floods and deadly cloudbursts

In Uttarakhand, heavy rains and cloudbursts across Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri, and Bageshwar have claimed five lives, with three missing and dozens of families buried under rubble.

Similarly, a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Kishtwar (J&K) on August 14 devastated the Machail Mata pilgrimage route, burying camps, sweeping away infrastructure, and resulting in 65 fatalities, over 300 rescues, and more than 200 missing.

Punjab: worst floods in nearly four decades

Punjab is grappling with its most severe floods since 1988. Over 1,000 villages are submerged, and more than 3 lakh acres of crops have been destroyed. Authorities report 61,000+ hectares inundated, with 1.46 million people displaced.

The Kapurthala district administration has issued distress alerts as the Beas river swells to 2.35 lakh cusecs, instructing residents in vulnerable areas like Sultanpur Lodhi and Bholath to relocate. Evacuations are in progress with Army and disaster response forces actively involved.

Also Read: Rain lashes several parts of flood-hit Punjab, heavy showers likely on Monday

Chennai & southern India: sudden cloudburst disrupts life

North Chennai, specifically the Manali area, witnessed a severe cloudburst overnight. The Regional Meteorological Centre recorded extremely high rainfall: 27 cm in Manali, 26 cm in New Manali Town, and 23 cm in Wimco Nagar in just two hours. This forced multiple flight diversions to Bengaluru.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that northwest India received 614.2 mm of rain from June to August, notably 27% above the normal. August alone saw rainfall totals 34.5% above expectations, signalling an unusually intense monsoon season.