Schools, colleges to remain closed in Punjab



Two dead in Himachal;

on high alert

Rains might damage kharif crops

Waterlogging, traffic snarls in Delhi

(With inputs from agencies)

Himachal Pradesh weather: Heavy rain alert in Himachal, red alert in Punjab

NEW DELHI: Heavy rains have disrupted normal life in parts of north India with flash floods leading to the death of two people in Himachal Pradesh and the Punjab government issuing a 'red alert' in the state.According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the June-September monsoon rain is likely to start withdrawing from the northwest from Saturday.The monsoon usually starts withdrawing in the first week of September, but this year it has been delayed by nearly four weeks.A change in the wind pattern is likely over west Rajasthan from Thursday and monsoon withdrawal could start from Saturday, IMD said in a statement.Punjab government has issued a 'red alert' in the wake of heavy rain in the state and has asked district authorities to maintain vigil, an official said."Red alert has been issued in view of incessant rain in the state", he said.District administrations have been asked to maintain constant vigil in view of rain, the spokesman said.Chief minister Amarinder Singh said that schools and colleges in the state will remain shut tomorrow in view of the incessant showers.Punjab has been witnessing widespread rain for the last two days and the downpour continued Monday, prompting state authorities to review preparations to tackle flood-like situations.District control rooms have been activated for fast response and the Army has also been alerted, the spokesman said."The Army has been requested for standby," he said.District authorities in catchment areas of rivers have been asked to make sufficient arrangements of boats for any rescue operation, the spokesman said.A man and a girl were swept away in Kangra and Kullu districts, respectively, as heavy rains triggered flash floods in Himachal Pradesh on Monday with officials sounding a "high alert" in the latter district.As water level increased in rivers and streams following incessant rain, a man died after he was swept away in the swelling Nahad Khad (rivulet) in Kangra district, the district administration said.In another incident, a 14-year-old girl was washed away in Kullu's Bajaoura, state Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur said.Heavy landslides hit vehicular movement on the Chandigarh-Manali highway beyond Mandi town and on the Pathankot-Chamba highway. However, there was no loss of life.Most parts of Himachal Pradesh witnessed moderate to heavy rains, Shimla Met Centre director Manmohan Singh said.According to data recorded at 8.30 am, Dalhousie in Chamba district experienced 170 mm rain in the past 24 hours, followed by Chamba 117 mm, Manali 121 mm, Kangra 120.8 mm, Palampur 108 mm, Dharamshala 62.6 mm and Una 62 mm. State capital Shimla experienced 23.1 mm rainfall.Issuing "high alert" for Kullu district, deputy commissioner Yunus warned the public not to go near rivers and nullahs as flood-like situation prevailed.Incessant rains in Punjab and Haryana could cause damage to kharif crops and dip in their yield, farm experts said.As rains set to delay paddy harvesting for a few days, farm experts are also apprehending their would be a short window to manage the crop residue, before sowing wheat.Though Punjab and Haryana are in the process of assessing damage to kharif crops, farm experts anticipate dip in yield due to continuous rains."Paddy grown in low-lying areas is vulnerable to damage due to rains as it usually gets submerged in water," director at Punjab Agriculture Department J S Bains said.According to farmers, paddy, which is at maturing stage, has got flattened at several areas because of rains.Heavy rains caused waterlogging and traffic snarls on major intersections in the national capital.The Delhi Traffic Police has been constantly updating the commuters about traffic conditions in the city through its Twitter handle.In the morning, city witnessed light rain as the mercury dipped to 24 degrees Celsius, according to the MeT department.