Chamba/Mandi/Ranchi (National Times): Monsoon fury continues to batter parts of India, with Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar witnessing devastating weather-related incidents over the weekend.
Himachal Pradesh: Cloudbursts Wreak Havoc, 5 Bridges Swept Away
In Himachal Pradesh, cloudbursts in the Chamba and Mandi districts triggered large-scale destruction early Saturday. Five bridges, including a motor bridge and three pedestrian footbridges in Mandi’s Chauhar Valley, and another bridge over the Kanghela drain in Chamba, were swept away by gushing waters.
Since the monsoon hit the hill state on June 20, 75 people have died, and 288 have been injured in incidents linked to floods and landslides. The Mandi district has reported the highest toll from cloudbursts, with 14 deaths and 31 people still missing.
Authorities have issued a Red Alert for extremely heavy rainfall across several districts in the state, warning of further landslides, flash floods, and travel disruptions.
Jharkhand: Coal Mine Collapse Claims 4 Lives
In Jharkhand, a tragic incident unfolded on Saturday morning when an illegal coal mine collapsed in Mahua Tangri, located in Ramgarh district. Four miners lost their lives, and four others were injured in the accident, which occurred amid heavy rains in the area.
Rescue teams rushed to the site, and operations are ongoing to ensure no others remain trapped. Officials have also issued an Orange Alert for heavy rainfall in the state through Monday morning.
Madhya Pradesh: Floods Disrupt Connectivity
Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, continuous downpours have led to flooding in the Mandla district. The Narmada River is flowing above the danger mark, causing significant disruption. A bridge on the National Highway linking Narsinghpur and Hoshangabad collapsed due to the pressure of floodwaters, affecting road transport and connectivity in the region.
Bihar: Thunderstorms Kill Two Women, Yellow Alert Issued
Bihar too has been affected by unstable weather patterns. A Yellow Alert for moderate rain and strong winds has been issued in 18 districts. On Saturday, Araria and Munger received substantial rainfall.
In a tragic incident in Sasaram, two women were killed by lightning, while another suffered burn injuries.
As monsoon-related calamities continue to unfold across multiple states, authorities are urging citizens to stay indoors during alerts, avoid flood-prone areas, and follow advisories from local administrations. Relief and rescue teams remain on high alert as weather departments forecast continued heavy rain across large parts of northern and eastern India.
