Monsoon rains lash Delhi, other states; toll rises in AP, UKD

Heavy rains lashed several parts of India as monsoon made its entry into Delhi and other states today even as the toll in a landslide in Arunachal Pradesh rose to 10 while ten rivers in Uttarkhand were in spate a day after it was hit by a cloudburst which has claimed at least 15 lives.

The rescue operation in Arunachal Pradesh, which was suspended last evening, resumed at the break of the dawn and five more bodies were recovered, West Kameng SP A Koan said.

The bodies extricated from the debris were of Pinky Boro (40), Miali Chetry (40), Niky Boro (10), Juala Chetry (10) and 9-month-old Angel Lenua, the SP said.

The landslide at Bhalukpong in West Kameng district was triggered by torrential rain, which had killed five people and injured four others yesterday.

In Uttarakhand too, the tragedy continued with the recovery of two more bodies, pushing the death toll in the rain-hit state to 15 today while about ten rivers and rivulets were in spate across the state and traffic disrupted on several routes due to landslides.

15 people are still missing after the cloudbursts in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts and it is feared that the toll may rise.

Rain-related casualties were reported in Uttar Pradesh too as at least 11 people, including three minors, were killed in in different parts of the state in last two days due to lightning strike and wall or house collapse.

In Delhi, monsoon showers lashed the city, two days after its scheduled arrival, bringing cheer and much-needed respite to residents from muggy weather.

"The South-West Monsoon has further advanced into remaining parts of western Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, most parts of Haryana, entire Chandigarh and Delhi and Punjab and some parts of eastern Rajasthan," a senior official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The national capital recorded 23.6 mm rainfall till 8.30 AM while weather stations at Lodhi Road, Palam, Ridge and Ayanagar received 19.6 mm, 3.8 mm, 12 mm and 18.7 mm rainfall.

Between 8.30 AM and 5.30 PM, Ridge recorded 0.2 mm rainfall while traces of rain was recorded in Ayanagar, a Delhi Met Department official said.

There was a steep fall in mercury as the maximum temperature settled at 30.2 degrees Celsius, seven notches below the season's average while the minimum temperature settled at 24.4 degrees Celsius, three notches below the normal, the official said.

The humidity level oscillated between 74 and 97 per cent.

"The skies will be partly cloudy. There is likelihood of rain accompanied by thunderstorm for tomorrow. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle at around 30 and 24 degrees Celsius," the weatherman said.

Several parts of Rajasthan, Odisha and Punjab, among other states, also received heavy rainfall.

Widespread rainfall lashed parts of Rajasthan since yesterday where very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in Kota Division and heavy rainfall at isolated places in Jaipur and Bikaner Divisions.

From yesterday till morning, Shahabad in Baran district recorded maximum rainfall of 15 cm followed by Malsisar (Jhunjhunu) at 12 cm. Chaksu (Jaipur), Choth ka Barware (Sawai Madhopur) recorded 11 cm and many other places received below 10 cm of rain.

Day temperature also dipped in parts of the state with Bikaner being 40.6 degree Celsius, the hottest in the state followed by Jaisalmer at 40 degrees Celsius. The Met Department has predicted heavy rainfall at isolated places in the state during next 24 hours.

In Odisha, Bolangir recorded highest rainfall of 17 cm followed by Loisingha at 11 cm and Ambadola at 8cm.

Bhubaneswar registered 29.9 degrees Celsius and received 33.5 mm rainfall. Chandwali, Titlagarh and Hirakud recorded 34, 32.5 and 32 degrees Celsius respectively.

Heavy rainfall in most parts of north Odisha while many parts of south Odisha has been forecast, the weatherman said.

As the South-West Monsoon arrived in most parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, both states and the union territory witnessing widespread rains in several parts.

"Monsoon is likely to remain very active in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh during next 36 hours with moderate to heavy rainfall at most places in all districts of Punjab and Haryana.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall with intensity more than 12 cm is also likely in some parts of Punjab and Haryana during next 36 hours," the MeT office said.

Widespread rains lashed major parts of Punjab and Haryana, bringing relief to people from sultry weather conditions.

Because of rains, the maximum temperatures dropped sharply in both the states, the weather department said.

Till 5:30 PM today, Punjab's Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala witnessed rainfall of 2 mm, 23 mm and 12 mm, respectively. Till 8:30 AM, Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar received rainfall of 73.2 mm, 51.8 and 17 mm, respectively.

The maximum temperatures in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala were 30.4, 27 and 26.3 degrees Celsius, respectively, up to 10 notches below normal.

In Haryana, Hisar was the wettest at 64 mm with the maximum temperature dropping by 13 degrees below normal and settling at 25.8 degrees Celsius.

Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, saw rainfall of 3.5 mm till 5:30 PM, while its maximum was 26.8 degrees Celsius, nine notches below normal.

Because of rains, several low lying areas in both the states were inundated with water. In west Bengal, Gangetic region received moderate rains today, whiled reduced precipitation was recorded in its sub-Himalayan.

People of Bihar may get respite from humid conditions prevailing in the state since past one week or so as the MeT department predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in the state from tomorrow.