Torrential rain played havoc across north India, with Himachal Pradesh witnessing at least 17 deaths caused by landslides and flash floods in the last two days.

Meteorologists have blamed the confluence of monsoonal winds with a western disturbance for the intense rain that has led to raging waters washing away cars and roads, submerging fields and gushing into residential areas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has been constantly posting Twitter updates of rescues by disaster management teams while revealing that several tourists and residents are stranded in Kaza, Chandertaal, Kafnu, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti.

In a media release, the chief minister’s office said: “... nature’s fury has tragically claimed the lives of 17 persons besides causing extensive damage to the roads, power transformers, electric sub-stations and numerous water supply schemes by throwing normal life out of gear in various parts of the state and an initial estimate of loss ranging from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore”

It added that efforts were underway to evacuate around 300 stranded tourists and residents in Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts by using helicopters once the weather permits. Sukhu has directed officials to make adequate arrangements for accommodation, food and essential items for the stranded besides preparing a state-wise list of tourists who are stuck.

The Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra has been halted for this season after six pilgrims died.

Himachal Pradesh and Punjab received 11-12 times the normal amount of daily rainfall for this season on Sunday.

The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted: “PM @narendramodi spoke to senior Ministers and officials, and took stock of the situation in the wake of excessive rainfall in parts of India. Local administrations, NDRF and SDRF teams are working to ensure the well-being of those affected.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted: “The Central Government has been requested to make available an additional relief amount from the PM CARES Fund for Himachal Pradesh and other states.”

In Uttarakhand, three people were killed and as many went missing after their jeep fell into the Ganga near Gular in Tehri district. The driver is suspected to have lost control of the vehicle due to rain and falling boulders from the mountains.

On Sunday, Solan in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi received the highest daily rainfall since 1971 and 1982, respectively.

Schools were shut in the National Capital Region on Monday. The Yamuna rose above the warning mark of 205.33 metres at the Old Yamuna Bridge before 5pm on Monday.

After an emergency meeting, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal told reporters that the government was prepared for large-scale flooding although it was unlikely.

Kejriwal said: “In 1978 there was a flood in Delhi and this was because 7 lakh cusec of water was released through the Hathnikund barrage. The level of the Yamuna at the Old Railway Bridge at the time was 204.79 metres. But since then several measures have been taken to prevent the accumulation of water in the river.

“In 2013, 8 lakh cusec of water was released through the Hathnikund barrage, leading to the rise in the level of the Yamuna to 207.32 metres. But there were no floods in the city. In 2019, there was an instance where 8.28 lakh cusec of water was released at Hathnikund barrage and the level of the Yamuna reached 206.6 metres, but still there were no floods in Delhi.”

On Monday, the homes of Delhi’s ministers, including public works minister Atishi, were flooded.

A 32-year-old parking attendant died while a shop owner was injured after a boundary wall collapsed in the rain in Sunder Nagar, police said.

Major traffic diversions had to be enforced in 15 places in the capital due to waterlogging, fallen trees, and damaged roads.

Haryana has asked employees to work from home as far as possible.

On Sunday, two soldiers were swept away by a flash flood while patrolling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch.

The intensity of rain in north India is predicted to become less in the coming days.

With inputs from PTI