New Delhi, September 7 — Rains subsided in many parts of north India on Sunday, offering some relief to flood-hit regions such as Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, where large-scale rescue and rehabilitation work is still underway. Rajasthan, however, continued to face heavy to very heavy showers, with the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur warning of more intense rainfall in southern districts.
Officials said a well-marked low-pressure system over southern Rajasthan has intensified into a depression, causing extreme rainfall in isolated areas. Sanchore in Jalore district recorded the highest rainfall of 210 mm in the past 24 hours. Heavy downpours are expected to continue in Jalore, Barmer and Jaisalmer through Monday, the weather office said.
In Himachal Pradesh, light rainfall was reported in several areas, with Manali recording 24.2 mm — the highest in the state. The local weather office issued yellow warnings of thunderstorms and lightning for isolated places on Sunday and Monday. Naina Devi, Dhaulakuan, Nahan and Kufri also reported moderate rainfall. Thunderstorms lashed Shimla, Jubbarhatti, Kangra and other hill stations.
Punjab, one of the worst-hit states in this year’s monsoon, saw lighter rainfall compared to previous days. Authorities said hundreds of villages remain inundated due to swollen rivers — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi — along with seasonal rivulets. According to the state government, schools, colleges and universities that had been shut will reopen for students on September 8.
The water level at the Pong dam dipped by about two feet to 1,392.20 feet but still remained above its upper storage limit of 1,390 feet on Sunday evening, officials said. Amritsar received 3.7 mm of rainfall during the day, Ludhiana 2.4 mm, and Patiala 9.2 mm. Rain was also recorded in Faridkot, Pathankot and Ferozepur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Punjab on Tuesday to review the situation, BJP state unit president Sunil Jakhar confirmed.
In neighbouring Haryana, Sirsa recorded 49.5 mm rainfall, Panipat 10.5 mm, Ambala 12.1 mm, Hisar 14.6 mm, while Mewat received 1 mm.
Delhi NCR saw largely dry conditions, with only scattered showers in select areas. The Ridge received 5.7 mm of rainfall, while Mayur Vihar and Pitampura recorded 16 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. The Yamuna river was flowing at 205.56 metres at the Old Railway Bridge — below the evacuation level of 206 metres, according to officials. The IMD has forecast thunderstorms with rain for the capital on Monday.
In Madhya Pradesh, heavy showers led to a mishap in Ujjain district where a car carrying three police personnel skidded off a bridge and fell into the swollen Kshipra river, officials said.
According to the IMD bulletin, light to moderate rain with isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, with similar conditions expected for the next four days in Uttarakhand.
