Floods Batter Several States While Tamil Nadu Residents Gather for Rain Prayers Amid Water Crisis

India is witnessing a striking contrast in weather conditions, with many states facing devastating floods and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains, while parts of Tamil Nadu continue to endure extreme heat and an acute shortage of water.

In Thennur, located in Tiruchirappalli district, members of the Muslim community gathered to offer Salat al Istisqa, the special Islamic prayer for rain. More than 2,000 people took part in the congregation, praying for rainfall and relief from the prolonged dry spell.

Several districts in Tamil Nadu have recorded temperatures above 37.5 degrees Celsius, with residents facing increasing difficulties due to shrinking water supplies and persistent dry weather.

Meanwhile, relentless rainfall has caused widespread destruction in several other parts of the country. In Bihar’s Banka district, six people lost their lives after being struck by lightning at different locations. The India Meteorological Department has issued weather alerts across the state as more storms are expected.

In Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, a landslide struck a house near a hillside on Sunday morning, killing three members of the same family, including a three year old child.

Kerala has also been severely affected by heavy rains. Authorities said eight people have died in landslides and flooding in Idukki and Kottayam districts, while eight others remain missing. The state government has set up 209 relief camps, providing shelter to more than 5,700 displaced residents.

In Rajasthan, continuous rainfall has caused waterlogging in several towns, including Ajmer, with 24 districts affected by the wet weather.

Although rainfall has eased in parts of Gujarat, rivers continue to flow above danger levels in Navsari, Bharuch, and Dang districts. In Surat, rising water levels in the Kim River have submerged the Mukti Dham cremation ground, forcing families to travel to other locations to perform last rites.

Heavy rain has also disrupted life in the northern hill states. Himachal Pradesh remains under a yellow alert until August 7, with more than 100 roads blocked due to landslides. In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rain and falling debris have triggered flood like conditions in Bandipora, Shopian, and Anantnag districts, damaging homes and infrastructure.

While much of the country continues to battle floods, overflowing rivers, and landslides, communities in drought affected parts of Tamil Nadu are praying for much needed rainfall. Disaster response teams and local authorities remain engaged in rescue and relief operations across the affected states.