Heavy monsoon rains hammered India Wednesday, causing chaos in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. In Delhi's Rohini district,a three-storey building under construction collapsed,trapping people in the rubble. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad, a garbage mound crashed onto a company's office,with 16 feared trapped.
Rescue teams are in action at both sites. In Delhi, emergency crews pulled two people from the debris shortly after it happened around 4:20 PM. Area's sealed off as search continues for others possibly still buried . A police officer said one person has died,with five to six more possibly under the wreckage.
In Maharashtra,the scene's just as grim. The garbage mound fell around 1:45 PM,and by evening, seven of the 16 trapped were rescued. Local officials are racing to find rest. Bhosari MIDC police station confirmed rescue operations are ongoing,hoping for more survivors .
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to check in and offer help. Shah promised central government support as states deal with the relentless rain's impact.
Besides the collapses, heavy rain has led to flash floods and waterlogging in many areas . The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of more heavy rain across West Bengal's sub-Himalayan districts until July 13. Places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong,and Jalpaiguri face extreme downpours, with landslides and floods feared.
In Himachal Pradesh, flash floods have cut off roads, especially in Shimla's Rampur subdivision. A temporary bridge over the Ganvi khad stream was damaged,isolating communities. Videos online show stranded locals and commuters clearing debris to get access back.
In Jammu and Kashmir, a landslide on the Vaishno Devi track paused battery car services, but the pilgrimage continues. Crews are clearing the path for pilgrims heading to the shrine.
Mumbai saw heavy rain again Wednesday morning, delaying local trains and flights . Waterlogging in Palghar district's Vasai-Virar area worsened travel,with long-distance trains to Gujarat facing big delays. Commuters waded through flooded tracks,showing monsoon's challenges .
Rajasthan also got heavy rain,with Kota's Ramganj Mandi recording 10 cm. The IMD says widespread rain will stick around for days, with several districts already seeing major rain.
Separately, a school bus in Latur district overturned, injuring 22 students,one seriously. bus was heading to Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Vidyalaya when driver lost control,sending it into a roadside drain . Locals quickly took the injured to hospital.
As monsoon continues, officials are on high alert, monitoring and coordinating rescue efforts in affected areas. The unyielding rains have exposed infrastructure's weaknesses and highlight the urgent need for better disaster management as extreme weather events escalate.
