Prime Minister Modi to travel to regions hit by flooding for a status update

Floods and Heavy Rainfall Affect Multiple North Indian States

The northern regions of India have been experiencing torrential rains for several weeks now, causing flooding in multiple states. The most severely affected areas include Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu, Indian-administered Kashmir, and Delhi.

In Odisha, an alert has been issued due to the swelling of the Jalaka and Budhabalang rivers in Balasore. This is a result of four days of incessant rainfall in various districts of the state, according to an IMD official. Cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have recorded significant rainfall, with Cuttack receiving 49.2 mm and Bhubaneswar 32.6 mm between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.

The situation is particularly dire in Punjab, where at least 43 people have lost their lives and three are still missing as of Friday. Over 3.5 lakh people have been impacted, and 1200 villages have been submerged. The deaths in Punjab have been reported in various districts, including Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Mansa, Pathankot, Patiala, Rupnagar, Sangrur, SAS Nagar, and Ludhiana.

To address this crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the flood-hit states and review the situation, meeting with Chief Ministers and other top officials. In a bid to provide immediate medical aid, AIIMS Delhi has sent a team of doctors and nurses to the affected areas in several north Indian states. The team includes specialists in Medicine, psychiatry, paediatrics, community medicine, surgical disciplines, radiodiagnosis, and laboratory medicine.

Authorities in Delhi have also been taking steps to combat the flood situation. The Yamuna has breached the danger mark in the city, prompting authorities to evacuate people from flood-prone areas. Several areas in Delhi are inundated due to incessant rainfall in the region for the last few days.

The floods and heavy rainfall have also caused massive damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the affected states, leading to significant economic losses. The situation is being closely monitored, and relief efforts are ongoing to help those affected by the floods.