Rains lash north India amid flood fears (Roundup)

Triggering a flood-like situation at many places, the rains across north India continued for the second day on Friday.

Normal life was been thrown out of gear in Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Chandigarh.

An IMD official said rain is likely in these states on Saturday.

Sixteen people have died since Thursday in rain-related accidents in Uttar Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh continued to experience heavy rain with the Sutlej, Beas and the Yamuna and their tributaries in spate in Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur and Sirmaur districts of the state.

Parts of Himachal Pradesh have also witnessed landslides, blocking roads.

In Delhi, the Yamuna was flowing near the warning mark of 204 metres. It is expected to touch the warning mark by 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The incessant overnight rain also created problems for commuters living in the national capital region with office goers being the worst sufferers as they stood in long queues in traffic jams.

"During the last 24 hours from 8.30 a.m. on Thursday heavy rains were witnessed all throughout the national capital with Safdarjung recording 45.8 mm of rains, Ayanagar 41.9 mm, Narela 54 mm, Palam 37.4 mm, and Ridge 46.2 mm," Skymet Weather, a private weather forecaster said.

There was heavy traffic on the Ghazipur Murga Mandi and Mayur Vihar Phase 2 route. Besides, the Badarpur-Mehrauli route was also affected due to water-logging in the Badarpur railway crossing underpass.

People going towards Noida from Jasola faced heavy traffic as the road has caved in. The Delhi Noida Direct flyway also experienced huge congestion.

Traffic on the Badarpur-Ashram route, the road above Loni, Apsara Border, Vivek Vihar ITI Underpass, Kasturba Nagar Underpass and Seemapuri underpass were all congested.

The city traffic police requested commuters to avoid all these stretches.

Uttarakhand, which has experienced moderate to heavy showers in the past 24 hours, has been warned of cloudbursts and landslides.

"Cloudbursts are also possible, which may trigger flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand," Skye weather has predicted.

--IANS

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