Overview

• Fresh downpours pushed Punjab to extend closure of all schools and colleges to September 7, with 30 deaths and more than 3.5 lakh people affected, officials said.
• IMD issued red alerts across parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, warning of very heavy rain, flash floods, landslides and waterlogging.
• In Jammu, the Tawi and Chenab crossed flood marks, evacuations were ordered in Udhampur and Akhnoor, classes were suspended, and landslides shut major highways.
• The Army, NDRF and other agencies have mounted large-scale relief, with 23 NDRF teams in Punjab and the Army reporting 5,500 civilians rescued and 27 tonnes of supplies delivered.
• Reservoirs neared capacity and releases were stepped up, with Bhakra around 1,678 feet and discharge raised to 75,000 cusecs, increasing flood risk along the Sutlej and submerging crops on about 1.48 lakh hectares.