NEW DELHI, July 10, 2023 (BSS)-A total of 38 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed in different northern states to carry out the rescue operations as heavy rains that triggered floods and landslides disrupting normal life to a great extent.

Of the total, 15 teams are deployed in Punjab, 12 in the Uttarakhand and 11 in Himachal Pradesh, according to reports. 

The rain continued for the straight three consecutive days and brought the region to its knees claiming more than 28 people so far. In cities and towns, many roads and buildings remain submerged in knee-deep water due to incessant rains.

The Indian weather department has predicted more downpour for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi and its adjoining areas over the next couple of days.

Frightening images of the chaos - vehicles floating like paper boats, muddy waters gushing into residential areas, structures submerged on the banks by the swollen rivers and land cave-ins - were shared online by people from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi, NDTV reported today.

In Himachal Pradesh, landslides and flash floods, triggered by incessant rain, damaged houses, structures and paralysed normal life. Some shops and vehicles were also washed away in flash floods in Manali, Kullu, Kinnaur and Chamba as all major rivers - including Ravi, Beas, Satluj, Swan and Chenab.

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has requested all the residents of the state to stay home for the next 24 hours because heavy rain is likely to occur. 

Over 1,300 roads, including major national highways, district, and link roads in the state, are affected, said Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi. 

Landslides and flash floods were also reported in neighbouring Uttarakhand state with reports of water level in rivers and streams crossing the danger mark.

All schools in Gurgaon and Delhi remain shutdown today as heavy rain has led to water logging. The Gurgaon administration has also advised corporate houses to work from home today to avoid traffic jams.

Besides, Delhi government has set up 16 control rooms to monitor the flood-prone areas after Haryana released more than one lakh cusecs of water into the Yamuna River from the Hathnikund barrage, sources said.

Heavy rain in several parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana led to massive water logging and flooding in low-lying areas, prompting authorities to swing into action in the worst-hit places.