Around 120 people have died in the past few weeks as relentless monsoon rain batters Himalayan and northeastern states, with floods, flash floods and landslides leaving a trail of destruction. Across Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people have been displaced, roads and bridges have been washed away, railway services have been disrupted and rescue agencies are racing to evacuate stranded residents as heavy rain continues.
In Himachal Pradesh, 66 people have died in rain-related incidents through July, while 31 people have lost their lives in this year’s floods in Assam after 21 fresh deaths in a single day. Jammu and Kashmir has reported 23 deaths in the last 48 hours, and Nagaland’s toll has risen to nine after flash floods and landslides.
Flooding has also hit Arunachal Pradesh, where nearly 1.49 lakh people have been affected by the monsoon. Weather agencies have warned of more heavy rain, flash floods and landslides, prompting authorities to keep disaster response teams on high alert.
J&K: 23 KILLED IN 48 HOURS, AMARNATH YATRA SUSPENDED
Jammu and Kashmir remains among the worst-hit regions, with 23 people killed in flood-related incidents over the last 48 hours, most of them from Poonch and Rajouri districts. Seven people remain missing as search operations continue.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 48-hour severe weather alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rain, flash floods, landslides and land sinking. Rain continued across much of the Union Territory, with intense spells reported from Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Reasi, Samba and Kishtwar in Jammu division and Budgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal in Kashmir.
Water levels in the Jhelum and Chenab rivers and several tributaries have risen sharply, inundating villages and towns. All the gates of Salal Dam were opened as Chenab after heavy rain.
The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), assisted by the Army and police, is carrying out rescue operations in the worst-hit areas, evacuating residents and restoring road connectivity where bridges and roads have been washed away.
Heavy rain has also led to the suspension of the Amarnath Yatra as a precautionary measure. Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has been halted due to multiple mudslides and shooting stones along the route. Authorities have advised commuters not to travel until weather conditions improve and the highway is declared safe.
HIMACHAL: 66 DEAD IN JULY, CLOUDBURSTS CAUSE MASSIVE DAMAGE
Himachal Pradesh continued to reel under heavy monsoon rain, with the state reporting 66 rain-related deaths during July alone, including fatalities due to landslides, road accidents and falling rocks.
Fresh overnight rain in Kangra district injured three people and damaged 12 more houses, taking the total number of damaged houses in the valley to 18, after six homes were washed away on Tuesday.
A cloudburst triggered flash floods and massive debris flows in two villages in Kangra. Officials said 13 permanent houses, five temporary houses and nine cowsheds have been damaged. Livestock losses include three buffaloes, four cows, one bull and one sheep.
Residents reported hearing a loud blast-like sound moments before torrents of water, mud and boulders rushed downhill. Authorities said timely evacuation prevented any loss of life in the affected villages.
Across the state, 145 roads remain blocked, 508 electricity distribution transformers are out of service and 43 drinking water supply schemes have been disrupted. Landslides in Dibba and Maned Nallah have also hampered rescue operations.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Kangra and Mandi districts and warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Kullu.
ASSAM FLOOD TOLL RISES TO 31, OVER 5.64 LAKH AFFECTED
The flood situation in Assam deteriorated sharply after 21 more people died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll in this year’s floods to 31. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), over 5.64 lakh people across 16 districts have been affected.
Floodwaters have submerged 872 villages across 44 revenue circles, while 71 relief camps are sheltering more than 12,000 displaced people. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services and other agencies.
Several rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Dikhou, Disang, Burhidihing and Dhansiri, are flowing above danger levels, with some crossing the extreme flood mark.
Floodwaters have also disrupted railway operations in Upper Assam for a second consecutive day, forcing cancellations, diversions and short-termination of several trains. Special trains are being operated for stranded passengers. To ensure uninterrupted communication, the Department of Telecommunications has activated intra-circle roaming in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat until July 24.
NAGALAND: DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO NINE
In Nagaland, the death toll from flash floods and landslides in Mon district has risen to nine after five more bodies were recovered. Four people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.
According to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, at least 7,460 people have been affected statewide. Preliminary assessments indicate that 64 residential houses in 93 villages across 10 districts have been damaged, along with agricultural land, public utilities and other infrastructure.
ARUNACHAL: FRESH FLOODS HIT FIVE DISTRICTS
Fresh floods triggered by incessant rain hit five districts of Arunachal Pradesh over the last 24 hours, even as the ongoing monsoon has affected nearly 1.49 lakh people across the state. Several people have also died in rain-related incidents. However, the official casualty count is still awaited.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, fresh flood and rain-related incidents have been reported from Siang, Papum Pare, West Kameng, Kamle and Lower Siang districts.
ODISHA: HIRAKUD OPENS 10 GATES AMID HEAVY RAIN
Heavy rain continued in Odisha, causing waterlogging in several cities and prompting authorities to open 10 gates of the Hirakud dam to release excess water from the Mahanadi catchment.
The IMD has forecast heavy rain across several districts over the next five days, while authorities have alerted 12 downstream districts about the possibility of inundation as water is released from the reservoir.
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Published On:
Jul 22, 2026 13:57 IST
