Hey everyone! It’s Wahid Bhat with our latest newsletter on the changing weather patterns in India. Just weeks ago, we reported on the heatwave. Now, we’re facing a new crisis: severe monsoon flooding, its consequences and the monsoon stories from different parts of India covered by our reporters.
As July begins, the monsoon has hit India, causing intense rainfall and widespread destruction. This shift from scorching heat to devastating floods highlights the increasing weather volatility and the urgent need for climate action.
As of July 3, India reports 54 fatalities, 1,134,400 affected, and over 500 evacuated in northeastern India due to Monsoon rains. Additionally, 489 people are in shelters, with several districts heavily impacted by floods, landslides, and overflowing rivers. Let’s start with Delhi
Delhi’s experiencing its heaviest rainfall since 1936! On day one of the monsoon, the city got drenched with 228.1 mm of rain, causing waterlogging and the closure of the Pragati Maidan tunnel for drainage operations.
The human cost has been severe, with 11 reported deaths—six in one day. This includes two boys who drowned in a flooded underpass in northwest Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warns of heavy rainfall in Delhi until Saturday.
Rajasthan
Who would’ve thought a state generally associated with hot weather and water scarcity would be overwhelmed with immense floods? Malpura in Tonk district saw 176 mm of rain in 24 hours, more than some places see in months. Sajangarh, Tijara, and Danpur also saw significant precipitation, each receiving over 100 mm of rain.
The Jaipur Meteorological Center predicts an active monsoon in eastern Rajasthan, with heavy rain expected in Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Bharatpur, and Udaipur divisions. Tonk and adjoining districts may experience extremely heavy rainfall. The meteorological department has issued yellow alerts for 31 districts, warning of intense rainfall. There may be a slight decrease in rain on July 7-8, but it’s expected to intensify from July 9–10, particularly in eastern Rajasthan.
But Amid all this flood news, our reporter Chandrapratap brings up a ray of hope from Bisalpur village in the Pali district of Rajasthan. The people are doing their part to manage water. Chandrapratap spoke with Ramesh Parangi, the Employment Assistant of Bisalpur Gram Panchayat, who’s spearheading a unique water conservation experiment.
“Initially this work was started on a trial and error basis. His team used to make small drains and collect water in trenches. After this, when the water in the trench increased, an attempt was made to divert it to the other side through drains.”
What they are doing is, they’re digging small drains and trenches to harvest rainwater! Ramesh and his team have set up 25 to 30 such systems in their village. The result? Wells that once ran dry at 70 feet now have water at just 15-20 feet! Farmers like Praveen Singh are seeing their yields improve, and the village has water for 10 months of the year.
Praveen Singh, a farmer from Bisalpur, stated, “Now our motor runs without stopping as long as there is electricity, and our yield is also good.” Read full story here
Nagaland
The situation in Nagaland is dire, with five individuals, including two children, fearing drowning in recent extreme weather events. The state has been grappling with flooding and landslides since last month, causing widespread destruction, fatalities, and extensive damage.
The NSDMA’s reports read like a tragedy: two boys were swept away in Tuensang, a soldier lost his life trying to save a friend in Tseminyu, and another youth was carried away by the Dzuvuru stream in Kohima. It’s devastating.
IMD’s report is not bringing much cheer. They’re predicting heavy rainfall until July 9th. Kiphire, Noklak, Zunheboto, Phek, and Shamator—these aren’t just place names anymore. They’re battlegrounds against nature’s intense challenges.
Mizoram
Mizoram’s devastating. 29 lives were lost to landslides. The story of Vanlalruali, found in the Tlawng River, is just one of many. We’re still searching for five others, including four from Melthum.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced ex-gratia payments and allocated funds, but can money compensate for the loss of loved ones? As I write this, rescue teams are searching for a four-year-old girl and two others buried under a landslide.
Assam
The flood situation in Assam is critical, with 52 deaths and about 21.13 lakh people affected across 29 districts. This second wave has submerged 3,208 villages, forcing over 3.86 lakh people to seek shelter in 515 relief camps and distribution centres.
The flood has taken a toll on wildlife, with 31 wild animals, including 23 hog deer, dying in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Over 11.20 lakh domestic animals have been affected, worsening agricultural distress.
Himachal Pradesh
Since the monsoon’s onset on June 27, over 115 roads have been closed and 212 electricity supply schemes disrupted. While 20 deaths have been reported in the past week, these were not directly related to floods or rain.
Arunachal Pradesh
Let’s check in on Arunachal Pradesh. Four districts—Namsai, Lohit, Changlang, and East Siang—are the most affected. Rivers are overflowing, causing flooding, and landslides are reshaping the landscape.
A cloudburst in Sagalee sent the Pare Hydropower Project into overdrive, forcing evacuations. In Changlang, the Burha Dehing River’s on a rampage, flooding everything. 62,000 people were affected, 300 were evacuated, and over 140 hectares of farmland were destroyed. Each number is a story of struggle and resilience.
As I finish this newsletter, I feel a mix of emotions. Sadness for the lives lost, admiration for the rescuers, and hope for those still fighting. This monsoon is teaching us hard lessons about climate change and preparedness. It’s time to listen, don’t you think?
Stay safe, folks. Keep an eye on weather alerts. In times like these, kindness and community spirit can be our strongest supports.
Our Monsoon Stories
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Farmers are in distress due to the canal bursting in Barwani; cotton and chilli crops affected
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Lightning strikes in Odisha: Do palm trees really protect against lightning strikes?
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Rising sinkhole threat puts India’s infrastructure at risk during monsoon
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Himachal Pradesh prepares for 2024 monsoon after years of deadly rains
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Meet Subhajit Mukherjee, who has invented a unique way of rainwater harvesting
Podcast of this week: Mind Your Earth
With Bhavreen Kandhari, an environmental activist and co-founder of Warrior Moms
Mothers Advocating for Clean Air
In this episode of Mind Your Earth, Bhavreen Kandhari shares her journey into environmental justice, how Warrior Moms empowers women and highlights positive policy changes. Tune in as we explore ways to influence policy beyond activism and discuss the future of air quality in India and around the world.
That’s all for today’s. If you found these stories interesting and want to stay updated, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow the Ground Report for Environment and Under-Reported Issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Write to us at GReport2018@gmail.com.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story. Until next time, this is Wahid Bhat signing off!
