National

Torrential Rains Wreak Havoc: Over 1,600 Dead Nationwide, Flash Floods Hit Uttarakhand and UP

07/08/2025/2:12:pm

Key Points

Torrential monsoon rains have triggered widespread floods and landslides across North India; states affected include Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
A catastrophic cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, has left at least 11 Indian Army soldiers and dozens more missing, as search and rescue operations intensify in devastated villages.
Over 1,600 people have died nationwide from rain-related incidents between April and July 2025.
The IMD has issued red and orange alerts in multiple states; more rain is forecast for Delhi, NCR, MP, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, and the South.
Urban flooding, river overflow, and massive infrastructure disruption have stranded thousands and submerged hundreds of villages.

New Delhi: India’s 2025 monsoon is unleashing unprecedented havoc, with relentless heavy rainfall pounding hilly and plain regions across the country. Massive flooding and landslides continue to devastate northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, while the cloudburst disaster in Uttarkashi has pushed the situation into a crisis.

Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Devastation and Heroic Rescues

A sudden cloudburst on Tuesday in the Dharali area of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, unleashed catastrophic flash floods and landslides, sweeping away homes, bridges, and even army camps. At least 11 Indian Army soldiers went missing after a nearby military post was inundated, and over 50 civilians remain unaccounted for as of Thursday afternoon. Rescue operations by the Army, NDRF, and SDRF are ongoing amid road blockages and treacherous conditions, with more than 190 people already rescued and special teams employing drones and tracking dogs. The chief minister visited the site and assured comprehensive relief for affected families, while the region remains largely cut off after key routes and bridges collapsed.

Floods & Landslides: Desperation in UP, Bihar, Himachal

The deluge has left vast swathes of Uttar Pradesh under water, affecting 21 districts and forcing hundreds of villages to evacuate. Bihar’s Purnia saw record rainfall, the highest since 1987, with hundreds of hamlets flooded and severe crop and property losses reported. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are battling relentless landslides over 300 roads remain blocked, schools are closed, and the popular Badrinath Highway was washed out.

Weather Today: Region-Wise Snapshot

Delhi & NCR: Heavy rain is forecast for August 7 and the next 48 hours, bringing a much-needed drop in temperature but also threatening more waterlogging and traffic chaos in areas like Laxmi Nagar and Patparganj.
Madhya Pradesh: Over 20 districts, including Bhopal and Sagar, are on heavy rain alert with strong winds expected today. Officials urge residents to stay safe.
Uttar Pradesh: Torrential rains have prompted flood warnings in 10 districts, while the Yamuna river has begun to flood Vrindavan’s Keshi Ghat. Residents are asked to avoid exposed and flood-prone areas.
Uttarakhand: Red and orange warnings continue, especially in Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Dehradun, with over 22cm of rain recorded in some places.
Bihar & Jharkhand: Multiple districts, including Patna, Gaya, and Rohtas, face heavy rain with alerts in place for lightning and flooding. In Jharkhand, districts like Palamu and Hazaribagh have been put under similar warning.
South and West India: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Goa are forecast to endure strong winds and heavy rain for the next 48 hours, risking more local flooding and transport disruption.

National Death Toll and Ongoing Danger

Data presented in the Rajya Sabha reports that 1,626 people have died due to rain and lightning since April, underscoring the scale of the ongoing monsoon disaster. The IMD warns adverse weather could persist in multiple regions through August 12, raising fears of further casualties and displacement.