Punjab’s Rupnagar district administration on Wednesday asked locals living near the Sutlej river to remain on alert as heavy water has been discharged from the Bhakra Dam following heavy rain in its catchment area in Himachal Pradesh.
At 6 am, the water level in the Bhakra dam was 1,677.84 feet against its maximum capacity of 1,680 feet. The water inflow in the dam was 86,822 cusecs while the outflow was 65,042 cusecs.
Officials said in view of the heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, the water discharge is being increased from 65,000 cusecs to 75,000 cusecs from the dam and villages in the Nangal area may be impacted.
The Patiala district administration has also issued an alert for the residents of villages near the Ghaggar river in the Rajpura sub-division in the wake of heavy rains in the catchment areas of the water body.
The district administration of SAS Nagar (Mohali) asked residents to remain cautious along the banks of Ghaggar river.
Punjab is facing massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets following heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Rains in Punjab have also worsened the flood situation in the state.
Entire Punjab has been impacted by nature’s fury, with the deluge claiming 30 lives and impacting over 3.50 lakh people.
Amid ongoing heavy rain in several states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued red alert warnings for three hours for several districts across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, northern Punjab, northern Haryana, eastern Rajasthan, southwest Uttar Pradesh, northwest and eastern Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
According to the IMD, districts under red alert in Jammu and Kashmir included Poonch, Mirpur, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar. In Punjab, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Sangrur are under red alert; while in Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and Solan are under similar warnings. Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, and SAS Nagar are also under the same warning.
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Mata Vaishno Devi base camp records highest rainfall in Jammu region, pilgrimage remains suspended
September 3, 2025 1:25 pm
The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills remained suspended for the ninth day on Wednesday as the base camp Katra recorded a rainfall of over 200 mm—highest in Jammu region—during the past 24 hours, officials said.
The yatra to the shrine was suspended on August 26, a couple of hours before a major landslide triggered by rains struck the old route near Ardhkuwari and killed 34 pilgrims and injured 20 others.
Though the pilgrimage remains suspended, the shrine itself is open with its priests performing daily prayers and rituals.
With the yatra cancelled, some pilgrims who have reached Katra are offering prayers at ‘Darshani Deodi’ (main entrance on the way to the shrine). PTI
Chandigarh schools to remain closed till September 7 amid heavy rains
September 3, 2025 12:53 pm
In view of the prevailing inclement weather condition in the region, all schools of Chandigarh shall remain closed till September 7.
The directive applies to all government, aided, recognised, and private schools throughout the city.
Dozens of vehicles damaged in Kinnaur after being hit by shooting stones
September 3, 2025 12:42 pm
Dozens of vehicles were reportedly damaged in Kinnaur district after being hit by shooting stones that continues to fall on National Highway 05 between the stretch of Nathpa and Wangtu.
However, no loss of life or injuries have been reported in the incident.
District administration officials have stated that efforts are made to clear the road for vehicular traffic. The officials stated that as a result of continuous heavy rainfall in the district, roads are blocked in multiple areas.
People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and have also been advised to park their vehicles in safer places.
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha back in Punjab politics, allocates funds for flood relief
September 3, 2025 12:30 pm
Punjab’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha is making news once again.
Having remained “politically inactive” in Punjab for the past several months, he is back, making his presence felt at a time when Punjab is facing the worst floods in recent history.
After visiting flood-devastated areas in Gurdaspur last week, perched atop a tractor, he has today allocated Rs 3.25 crore from his MPLADS fund for the state.
Union minister Shivraj Chouhan to visit flood-hit Punjab on September 4
September 3, 2025 12:25 pm
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit flood-affected areas of Punjab on Thursday to take stock of the damage and assess the needs of affected farmers.
Chouhan confirmed his visit on Wednesday, stating he would be in Punjab on September 4.
Earlier in the day, the minister spoke to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to understand the scale of the devastation caused by heavy rain.
“Today, I discussed the flood situation arising due to heavy rainfall in Punjab with the Governor of Punjab, Chief Minister, and Agriculture Minister and obtained detailed information.
“I will reach Punjab tomorrow morning and meet my brothers and sisters in the flood-affected areas. In this hour of crisis, the Central Government stands firmly with the brothers and sisters of Punjab and will provide all possible assistance,” Chouhan said.
Flood alert issued for Patiala's Devigarh areas as Tangri river nears danger mark
September 3, 2025 12:24 pm
In Patiala, authorities have issued an urgent flood alert for parts of Devigarh in Patiala district following a rise in the water level of the Tangri river, triggered by heavy rain in upstream areas of Ambala and Kala Amb.
According to officials, the river is expected to swell further in Patiala district in the next 10–12 hours.
Villages likely to be affected include:
• Right Bank (R/S): Mehmodpur Rudki, Devinagar, Harigarh, Rohar Jagir, Lelan Jagir, Dudhangujran, Adaltiwala, Maghar Sahib
• Left Bank (L/S): Mohalgarh, Khansa, Rattakhera, Aujan, Khatauli, Ganeshpur, Kharabgarh, Bibipur, Jodhpur, Budhmor, Sadikpur Biran
Landslide hits house in Kullu’s Akhara Bazaar, two feared trapped
September 3, 2025 12:10 pm
In Kullu district, a late-night landslide struck a residential area in inner Akhara Bazaar, damaging a house and leaving two persons feared trapped under the debris, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred around midnight amid continuous rainfall that has battered the region over the past several days, heightening the risk of slope failures and flash floods.
According to local sources, the landslide hit the house, catching its occupants off guard. However, one person managed a narrow escape by jumping out through a window moments before the structure was struck.
“It happened so fast—everything started shaking, and before we knew it, the wall came crashing down,” said a local resident.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with teams from the district administration and emergency services reaching the spot. Despite continuous efforts through the night, the two missing individuals had not been located at the time of filing this report.
Authorities said heavy rainfall and unstable terrain were hampering the operation, making it difficult for rescue teams to safely clear debris amid fears of further slides. The area has been cordoned off, and nearby residents have been advised to evacuate as a precautionary measure.
Officials have also urged people living in landslide-prone zones to remain alert and follow safety advisories.
Further updates are awaited as rescue efforts continue in challenging conditions.
Evacuation in Ropar's Bela Villages as Bhakra Dam Nears Capacity
September 3, 2025 11:29 am
The district administration has begun evacuating residents from several Bela villages as the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is set to release 75,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej due to high inflows into the Bhakra Dam. By this morning, the dam’s water level had reached 1,678 feet—just two feet below the maximum permitted level of 1,680 feet. Inflows into the dam were recorded at 86,822 cusecs, while outflows stood at 65,042 cusecs.
Villages, including Harsa Bela, Bela Ramgarh, Sensowal, Singhpura, and others are being evacuated as many have already lost road connectivity. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has urged residents to move to safer areas, assuring that shelter arrangements have been made in government facilities. Meanwhile, the Pong Dam is also under pressure, with water levels exceeding its optimum capacity by three feet.
Panchkula schools to remain closed on Wednesday due to heavy rain
September 3, 2025 10:58 am
As heavy rain continues in Tricity, the Panchkula administration has announced the closure of all schools on Wednesday.
“In view of the ongoing heavy rainfall in Panchkula district and keeping in mind the safety of students, a holiday is hereby declared today, 03.09.2025 (Wednesday), for all government and private schools and Anganwadi centres in the district,” the notification issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, states.
The continuous downpour has led to massive waterlogging, damage to public property and major traffic snarls on most of the roads and busy junctions across Tricity.
Ludhiana's Field Ganj residents struggle with waterlogging, garbage overflow
September 3, 2025 10:52 am
In Ludhiana, despite no heavy rain in the past 24 hours, just light drizzles, residents in the Field Ganj area continue to suffer due to persistent waterlogging and lack of civil response. The situation remains grim in street number 5-9, where excess water has yet to be drained from the narrow lanes.
According to residents, no suction machines have been deployed to clean the sewerages, leaving residents to manage the situation themselves.
Yamuna level in Delhi continues to rise, evacuation underway
September 3, 2025 10:04 am
The Yamuna River level was recorded at 206.83 metres at the Old Railway Bridge (ORB) on Wednesday at 8 am, officials said.
As the river level is expected to rise further, authorities have issued a flood warning, forecasting the water level to reach around 206.90 metres.
“As per current indications, the water level by 7 am on September 3, 2025, is likely to be 206.90 metres, and thereafter, the water level is likely to rise,” the flood advisory issued on Tuesday evening had said. PTI
Chandigarh rain: Sukhna Lake floodgates open a record ninth time this monsoon
September 3, 2025 9:29 am
Following incessant rain in the catchment area, the Chandigarh Administration opened two of the three floodgates of Sukhna Lake this morning after the water level of the lake crossed the danger mark of 1,163 feet. The excess water of the lake was released into the Ghaggar river through the Sukhna Choe.
According to officials, one floodgate was opened around 7.30 am and the second gate was opened around 9 am up to the height of three inches.
It was the ninth time the floodgates were opened this monsoon season.
6 dead, one missing after devastating landslide hits Mandi's Jangambag area
September 3, 2025 9:21 am
A devastating landslide struck the Jangambag area in the Sundernagar subdivision of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, claiming six lives — including four members of a single family — and leaving one person missing, officials said on Wednesday.
The sudden landslip buried two residential houses and also trapped a passerby on Tuesday evening.
Mandi SP Sakshi Verma said residents heard loud rumbling noises moments before the hillside collapsed, engulfing homes located at the base.
“A massive rescue operation was launched immediately after the incident,” said the SP, adding that all six bodies were recovered from the rubble by late Tuesday night despite difficult conditions.