Heavy downpours lead to fatalities and widespread flooding in New Delhi and northern India.

India is reeling from the impact of record rainfall during this year’s summer monsoon, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths and caused extensive flooding in New Delhi and several areas in the northern, hilly regions of the country. The summer monsoon traditionally accounts for 70-80 percent of South Asia’s annual rainfall, but experts warn that the effects of climate change are making the weather event more unpredictable and destructive.

The severe weather event has overwhelmed infrastructure, submerged streets, and left a trail of devastation in its wake. In New Delhi, record rainfall has caused severe disruptions, forcing people to evacuate their homes and leaving many stranded. The northern hilly regions have experienced similar chaos, with landslides and flash floods claiming lives and displacing entire communities.

In this On The Ground feature, journalist Arpan Rai surveys the widespread damage, speaking to residents and officials, as the country grapples with the growing challenges of extreme weather exacerbated by climate change. The devastating floods have highlighted the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.