At least ten persons have died due to incessant rains and floods lashing Uttarakhand.
The floodwaters have also caused landslips in the higher reaches and swept away several roads and bridges in the state's Uttarkashi and Chamoli Districts.
According to television reports, flash floods in the Assiganga in Uttarkashi swept away vehicles and heavy machinery yesterday evening, forcing the local authorities to announce a high alert and ask residents and labourers to move to higher ground.
The state government has said that the next 48 hours are critical for those undertaking the Char Dham Yatra.
Meteorological department officials said adequate warning measures have been issued and evacuations have begun.
"We are evacuating people from areas like Tilot and Gangotri. We have informed ITBP (the paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and the army and the evacuation process is going on. We have already evacuated around 35 families and the process is in progress," said Anand Kumar, a Meteorological Observatory official.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Met Department, B.P. Yadav said the South-West Monsoon has arrived in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi almost a fortnight ahead of its due date. The monsoon usually covers the entire country by July 15.
The inclement weather has affected normal life in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Hindustan-Tibbet National Highway and several other interior roads have been blocked due to landslides.
Heavy rain in Delhi last evening, led to water logging in many areas, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
In Maharashtra, heavy rains also lashed Mumbai and adjoining Thane district, causing water logging and hitting suburban train services.
