NEW DELHI — Heavy monsoon rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides in parts of India on Sunday, disrupting transport and prompting emergency measures as authorities warned of continued risks in several vulnerable regions.
In Jammu and Kashmir, overnight rain caused flash floods and landslides in areas including Poonch and Rajouri districts, with local authorities reporting deaths and missing people as rescue operations continued. Officials also suspended major pilgrimages in the region, including the Amarnath Yatra and Vaishno Devi Yatra, because of hazardous weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several states, including parts of the Himalayan region, where steep terrain increases the risk of landslides and flash floods. The weather agency advised residents and travellers to monitor alerts and avoid vulnerable areas.
In Himachal Pradesh, the meteorological department warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts from July 19 to July 22, with possible landslides, mudslides, flash floods and waterlogging. Authorities had already reported rain-related disruptions, including road closures, as the monsoon continued to affect the state.
Other parts of northern and western India have also experienced weather-related disruption during the monsoon season, with heavy rain previously causing flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure in several states. Local administrations have deployed response teams and issued public safety advisories in affected areas.
India’s annual southwest monsoon provides most of the country’s rainfall but can also bring severe hazards, particularly in mountainous regions where intense downpours can destabilize slopes and rapidly raise river levels.
Authorities said rescue and relief operations were continuing in affected locations, while weather agencies maintained alerts for additional heavy rainfall. Officials urged communities in flood- and landslide-prone areas to follow local advisories as monitoring of conditions continued.
