MauraJ14891 at 04:59, 20 July 2023

2023-07-20T04:59:14Z

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{{Short description|Disaster occurred in North India}}
{{current disaster}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = 2023 North India floods on 10 July.jpg
| caption = Satellite image of [[North India]] on 10 July, showing various systems causing flooding
| cause = [[Monsoon|Heavy rain]] [[Discharge (hydrology)|Discharges]] [[Landslide]]
| duration = 3 July 2023 – present ({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|day1=9|month1=7|year1=2023|day2=|month2=|year2=|duration=yes}})
}}{{Infobox weather event/Storm
| type = Flood
| maximum-rain = 153
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = ≥100
| injuries = ≥100
| damages =
| affected = [[Himachal Pradesh]] [[Uttarakhand]] [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] [[Chandigarh]] [[Haryana]] [[Uttar Pradesh]] [[Rajasthan]] [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] [[Delhi]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
}}
Heavy rainfall during the 2023 [[monsoon season]] resulted in severe flooding and landslides across [[North India|Northern India]], primarily affecting residents in [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Punjab]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Haryana]], [[Rajasthan]] and [[Delhi]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=India floods: monsoon rains leave 22 dead in north as Delhi sees wettest July day in decades |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/10/india-floods-new-delhi-rain-record-deaths |access-date=10 July 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=10 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710031105/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/10/india-floods-new-delhi-rain-record-deaths |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name="bbcnews" />

A [[monsoon]] surge, coupled with a [[western disturbance]] has led to the highest rainfall in decades in some parts of the region, causing nearby rivers to overflow, with flooding and landslides washing away vehicles, destroying bridges and roads, and disrupting power and electricity.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Why North India is facing unusually heavy rains, explained |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/surge-in-monsoon-rainfall-causes-flooding-and-landslides-in-northern-india-101688925112602.html |access-date=10 July 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709180131/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/surge-in-monsoon-rainfall-causes-flooding-and-landslides-in-northern-india-101688925112602.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Over 100 individuals across Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, have died over a two-week period of intense rain and flooding, with thousands of others evacuated to relief camps.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Record monsoon rains have killed more than 100 people in northern India over two weeks |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-monsoon-floods-deaths-8185e8e5b05fe9de76efc609928ec360 |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=AP News|first1=Ashok|last1=Sharma|first2=Rishi|last2=Lekhi |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714033616/https://apnews.com/article/india-monsoon-floods-deaths-8185e8e5b05fe9de76efc609928ec360 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Mehrotra |first=Karishma |title=At least 100 dead in northern India after extreme monsoon flooding |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/14/india-floods-himachal-pradesh-monsoon/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The floods have led to closure of schools, disruption of flights and train operations in various parts of North India.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=As heavy rain pounds Delhi, 20 flights cancelled, 120 delayed at airport: Report |language=en-GB |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-rain-latest-flights-cancelled-delayed-air-india-indigo-spicejet-weather-alert-101689084486154.html |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718102555/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-rain-latest-flights-cancelled-delayed-air-india-indigo-spicejet-weather-alert-101689084486154.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Northern Railways cancels 17 trains, diverts 12 as heavy rain lash North India – Details here |language=en-GB |publisher=[[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]] |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-northern-railways-cancels-17-trains-diverts-12-as-heavy-rain-lash-north-india-details-here-3162413/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |archive-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718103043/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-northern-railways-cancels-17-trains-diverts-12-as-heavy-rain-lash-north-india-details-here-3162413/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Background==
The [[Monsoon of South Asia|South Asian monsoon season]], which spans from June to September, typically brings about 80% of annual rainfall to the region.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last1=Yasir |first1=Sameer |last2=Kumar |first2=Hari |title=Evacuations Ordered in Delhi: Monsoon Flooding in Pictures |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/world/asia/delhi-flooding-evacuations-monsoon.html |access-date=2023-07-15 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716024953/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/world/asia/delhi-flooding-evacuations-monsoon.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In recent years, India has witnessed intensified weather patterns, with the monsoon season becoming more erratic and less dependable over time.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fountain |first1=Henry |last2=Levitt |first2=Zach |last3=White |first3=Jeremy |title=The Monsoon Is Becoming More Extreme |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/10/04/climate/south-asia-monsoon-climate-change.html |access-date=2023-07-15 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705202717/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/10/04/climate/south-asia-monsoon-climate-change.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The current period of heavy rainfall is occurring closely on the heels of [[2023 Asia heat wave|an intense heatwave]] that also affected much of northern India. While various factors contribute to flooding, experts point to [[climate change]] as a significant driver of increased occurrences of heavy rainfall.<ref name="bbcnews">{{Cite news |title=Flood warning in Delhi as rains batter north India |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66161591 |access-date=11 July 2023 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716024921/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66161591 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Affected areas==
The states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana experienced extensive waterlogging due to heavy rainfall.<ref name="bbcnews" />

===Himachal Pradesh===
The state of Himachal Pradesh was the hardest hit, with at least 88 dead and more than 100 injured as of July 13, 2023.<ref name=":3" /> More than 1,000 roads were blocked in the state as a result of downed power lines and other damaged infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monsoon rain grapples Himachal Pradesh as flash floods, landslide claim 91 lives |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/monsoon-rain-grapples-himachal-pradesh-as-flash-floods-landslides-claim-91-lives-11689301190879.html |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=mint |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716024934/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/monsoon-rain-grapples-himachal-pradesh-as-flash-floods-landslides-claim-91-lives-11689301190879.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Monsoon LIVE News: HP worst-hit as rains continue; PM take stock of situation |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/monsoon-rain-latest-rainfall-news-flash-floods-rainfall-himachal-pradesh-stones-manali-delhi-11688881543181.html |access-date=10 July 2023 |website=mint |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709174326/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/monsoon-rain-latest-rainfall-news-flash-floods-rainfall-himachal-pradesh-stones-manali-delhi-11688881543181.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Approximately 70,000 tourists were evacuated from the state, as reported by [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh|Chief Minister]] [[Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Himachal Pradesh suffered losses of about ₹8,000 crore due to rain: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/himachal-pradesh-suffered-losses-of-about-8000-crore-due-to-rain-cm-sukhvinder-singh-sukhu/article67083659.ece |access-date=2023-07-15 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716024921/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/himachal-pradesh-suffered-losses-of-about-8000-crore-due-to-rain-cm-sukhvinder-singh-sukhu/article67083659.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Rescue operations were led by teams from the [[Indian Army|Indian army]] and the [[National Disaster Response Force]]. Several districts experienced an entire month's worth of rainfall within a single day. In [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]], roads were swept away by the deluge, leaving both tourists and their vehicles stranded.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Large chunks of highway destroyed in India floods |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-66184879 |access-date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716024921/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-66184879 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Punjab===
On 9 July 2023, a high alert was issued in different districts of Punjab due to incessant rains.<ref name="Punjab1">{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Ruchika M. |title=Rain fury: Ghaggar, Sutlej rivers in spate in Punjab; flood threat looms over Dera Bassi, Patiala, Sangrur, Ropar|newspaper=The Tribune|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/ghaggar-satluj-rivers-in-spate-in-punjab-flood-threat-looms-over-dera-bassi-patiala-sangrur-ropar-524166 |access-date=10 July 2023 |archive-date=10 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710103858/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/ghaggar-satluj-rivers-in-spate-in-punjab-flood-threat-looms-over-dera-bassi-patiala-sangrur-ropar-524166 |url-status=live }}</ref> There were a surfeit of waterlogged roads and many cars were submerged in water.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Ravinder |last=Vasudeva |title=Nearly 150 rural roads, 10 bridges damaged in floods across Punjab, says PWD |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/floods-in-punjab-cause-extensive-damage-to-rural-roads-and-bridges-no-major-damage-reported-to-buildings-101689020031758.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en |access-date=16 July 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714180109/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/floods-in-punjab-cause-extensive-damage-to-rural-roads-and-bridges-no-major-damage-reported-to-buildings-101689020031758.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Kanchan |last=Vasdev |title=What's behind the flooding in Punjab and what are the possible solutions? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/reasons-behind-flooding-in-punjab-and-how-it-could-have-been-avoided-8828804/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |access-date=16 July 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714180334/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/reasons-behind-flooding-in-punjab-and-how-it-could-have-been-avoided-8828804/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The situation worsened in [[Patiala]] and [[Dera Bassi]] as fields were inundated.<ref name="Punjab1" /> Many roads caved in, disrupting the traffic. The rains did not show any signs of abating as it had been profusely raining for the past three days. On 10 July 2023, an order was passed to close all schools, which are not expected to reopen until 17 July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Punjab extends schools closure till July 16, to reopen on July 17 |url=https://www.msn.com/ |website=www.msn.com |publisher=The Indian Express |access-date=16 July 2023 |archive-date=19 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119040216/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28156997/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Sanjay |last=Sharma |title=Punjab extends school closure till July 16 due to heavy rains |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/punjab-extends-school-closure-till-july-16-due-to-heavy-rains/articleshow/101722645.cms |access-date=2023-07-14 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714180637/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/punjab-extends-school-closure-till-july-16-due-to-heavy-rains/articleshow/101722645.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Delhi===
The capital city of Delhi saw over {{convert|153|mm}} rain on 9 July 2023, marking the highest precipitation in a single day in July in over 40 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Yasir |first1=Sameer |last2=Kumar |first2=Hari |title=Deadly Monsoon Flooding and Landslides Lash India |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/world/asia/india-monsoon-flooding-landslides.html |access-date=2023-07-15 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711020651/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/world/asia/india-monsoon-flooding-landslides.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Tara|last1=Subramaniam|first2=Manveena|last2=Suri |title=New Delhi records wettest July day in decades as deadly floods hit northern India |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/10/india/india-delhi-wettest-day-flood-deaths-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=10 July 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=10 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710091028/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/10/india/india-delhi-wettest-day-flood-deaths-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Authorities took measures to relocate numerous individuals residing near [[Yamuna]] riverbanks to safer areas. In addition, residents in other susceptible regions were advised to make necessary arrangements for potential evacuations. The traffic flow across a critical bridge spanning the river was disrupted, and schools were closed.<ref name="bbcnews" />

The [[Yamuna]] river breached its all-time high-water mark, which had stood for over 45 years.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1679305808503533568|user=PTI_News|title=VIDEO {{!}} Water from overflowing Yamuna river reaches ITO, a key route to commute from East Delhi to Central Delhi and Connaught Place. The Yamuna in Delhi swelled to a staggering 208.08 metres on Wednesday, smashing the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres set 45 years ago by a significant margin.|access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref> The situation impacted prominent areas, including the street outside [[List of chief ministers of Delhi|Chief Minister]] [[Arvind Kejriwal]]'s residence and a major road towards [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]], a renowned business center. Chief Minister Kejriwal urged the federal government to regulate the water release from the [[Hathni Kund Barrage|Hathnikund Barrage]] in Haryana, which contributed to the swelling of the Yamuna river.<ref name=":1" /> Flooding of the Yamuna river also resulted in water surrounding the [[Red Fort]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

Sixteen thousand individuals were provided shelter in relief tents arranged by the Delhi government. The state's governor convened with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority to discuss the flood situation. Kejriwal mentioned that an advisory would be issued for private offices to encourage remote work. Due to the flood-like situation, three water treatment plants in Delhi were temporarily shut down. As a result, water was rationed. Furthermore, heavy vehicles, with the exception of those engaged in essential services, were prohibited from entering Delhi.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Delhi floods: Key roads under water as Yamuna river swells |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66184551 |access-date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713054815/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66184551 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Kashmir===
Due to damage to a national highway, the [[Amarnath Temple|Amarnath Yatra]] pilgrimage was suspended. As a result, thousands of pilgrims were stranded in nearby areas.<ref name="bbcnews" />

==See also==
* [[Floods in India]]
* [[2013 North India floods]]
* [[2023 South Asian floods]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{2023 floods}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:North India floods, 2023}}
[[Category:2023 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2023 floods in Asia]]
[[Category:2020s in Chandigarh]]
[[Category:2020s in Delhi]]
[[Category:2020s in Haryana]]
[[Category:2020s in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:2020s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:2020s in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:2020s in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:2020s in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:2020s in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:July 2023 events in India]]
[[Category:Floods in India|North India]]

2023 North India floods - Revision history

MauraJ14891 at 04:59, 20 July 2023