NEW DELHI, July 19— Monsoon mayhem gripped several parts of the country on Saturday, killing at least 18 people in Uttar Pradesh, disrupting road connectivity in the northeast, and prompting red and orange alerts across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, and other states.
Uttar Pradesh saw the highest toll, with 18 deaths reported over 24 hours ending 8 p.m. on July 18. According to official data, eight deaths were due to drowning, while two were from snakebites. Drowning incidents were reported in Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Ghazipur, Banda, Mahoba, and Lalitpur districts.
In Rajasthan, heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours has triggered a flood-like situation across multiple districts. Towns such as Ajmer, Pushkar, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur and Pali witnessed waterlogging and infrastructure damage. Seventeen people stranded in the Banas River in Tonk district were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
The Dargah area in Ajmer also saw dramatic rescues as locals helped save people swept away by flash floods. Ana Sagar Lake overflowed following incessant rain. Bundi’s Nainwa recorded the highest rainfall at 234 mm, followed by 230 mm in Nagaur’s Merta City, and 190 mm in Mangliawas (Ajmer).
Jaipur MeT department chief Radhey Shyam Sharma said rainfall may ease from Sunday, but another heavy spell is expected around July 27–28 in eastern Rajasthan.
In Uttarakhand, the IMD has issued a red alert for Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar on Sunday. An orange alert is in place for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, where heavy to very heavy rain is expected. Local administrations have been directed to restrict movement in vulnerable areas.
Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh is also bracing for intense rainfall with an orange alert issued for Monday and Tuesday across nine districts, including Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, and Solan.
As of Saturday evening, 141 roads remained closed, 58 water supply schemes were disrupted, and 28 power transformers were damaged, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. The worst-hit areas included Mandi (94 roads shut) and Kullu (33 roads).
In the south, Kerala’s northern districts — Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod — are under a red alert as incessant rains caused widespread waterlogging and disrupted transport. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority issued safety advisories, and authorities are prepared to evacuate residents in high-risk zones.
Wayanad and Kozhikode received particularly heavy rain Friday night, though there was some respite by Saturday morning.
In the northeast, Arunachal Pradesh witnessed landslides and road blockages due to persistent rainfall. In Lower Siang district, communication was snapped and roads — including the crucial Aalo-Likabali route — were buried under debris. Officials said efforts to clear the road are ongoing, but continuous rain has hampered progress.
In West Bengal, landslides along NH-10 in Kalimpong district cut off vehicular access between Sevoke and Sikkim’s Rangpo. Restoration work is underway and the highway is expected to reopen within 24 hours, according to local officials.
Delhi also saw some relief from heat with thunderstorms and showers on Saturday. The capital recorded a minimum temperature of 25.2°C, two degrees below normal.
With heavy rain expected to continue in several states over the coming days, authorities across regions have urged caution, preparedness, and emergency response readiness.
