India has been experiencing heavy rainfall and flooding in several northern states over the past week. Since 9 July, severe weather warnings have been in place. Three days of intense rain in north India have resulted in multiple fatalities from landslides and other weather-related tragedies. More than 100 people were reported dead as of 12 July. The severely affected regions include Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and Delhi. Warnings for heavy rainfall were also issued for West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya.

Continuous rains caused the overflow of rivers and dams across these states. Major highways were closed and houses were destroyed. Roads and bridges were damaged due to the floods. On 10 July, around 21:30 hours (local time), four people were killed, and six others were injured by falling boulders and debris on Gangotri national highway in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Trees were uprooted, and power outages have been reported across many regions. Essential services remain disrupted. Public transportation has been severely affected – several trains were canceled due to these adverse weather conditions. Rail traffic over the Yamuna Bridge was suspended by the Northern Railway due to a rise in water level above the ‘danger mark’. Evacuations of residents from flood-prone areas are underway. 

On 11 July, a red alert was issued for seven districts in Himachal Pradesh due to incessant rainfall. Tourists remain stranded in the worst affected state amid these disruptions. Around 80 deaths were reported in the region. As of 12 July, 13 cases of house collapse were recorded in Delhi. The Amarnath Yatra was suspended for four consecutive days due to inclement weather conditions affecting most parts of Kashmir. 

The adverse weather has caused extensive damage to several states of North India, and recovery efforts are still in progress. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to undertake relief and rescue efforts.

Sitata strongly advises against traveling during monsoons in order to minimize the potential impact and prevent any further calamities. As responsible travelers, it is crucial that we exercise patience and wait for the situation to improve. Furthermore, we kindly request that you prioritize sustainable travel practices to mitigate any adverse effects on our precious natural surroundings and preserve the beauty of these magnificent landscapes. Our utmost concern lies with both the well-being of travelers and the preservation of our cherished environment.

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