Unprecedented monsoon downpours have wreaked havoc across northern India this week, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming over 100 lives. Schools and colleges have been forced to close as widespread flooding, road collapses, and damaged homes have brought life to a standstill.

Himachal Pradesh, a mountainous state approximately 310 miles north of New Delhi, has been the hardest hit, with at least 88 fatalities and over 100 injuries reported. Raging floodwaters have swept away vehicles, bridges, and houses, leaving communities devastated. Uttar Pradesh has also suffered significant losses, with twelve rain-related deaths recorded since Wednesday. These include drownings, lightning strikes, and even a snake bite. Additional casualties have been reported in New Delhi and the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir, bringing the total death toll to over 100.

Rescue efforts are underway, with helicopters deployed to evacuate nearly 300 individuals, primarily tourists, stranded in Himachal Pradesh's Chandertal area. Among those rescued were seven individuals requiring medical attention. The state has also witnessed extensive infrastructural damage, with close to 170 houses completely destroyed and over 600 partially damaged due to the relentless rains and resulting landslides.

New Delhi has also experienced severe flooding, particularly in residential areas near the Jamuna River. Roads, vehicles, and homes have been submerged, forcing thousands to evacuate low-lying areas. Traffic chaos ensued during Thursday morning's rush hour as floodwaters trapped numerous vehicles.

The Jamuna River, which flows through the Indian capital, has reached a 40-year high, exceeding 681.5 feet on Wednesday evening. Authorities have established relief camps and repurposed schools to accommodate nearly 30,000 displaced residents. Many others have sought refuge under road bridges with their livestock in the eastern parts of the city.

While New Delhi hasn't experienced heavy rainfall in the past two days, the river level has surged due to exceptionally high water discharge from the Hathni Kund barrage in the neighboring state of Haryana. This unusual discharge has exacerbated the flooding situation in the capital.

The India Meteorological Department predicts further heavy rainfall in the northern regions in the coming days. The overall monsoon rainfall across the country is already 2% above average. While the monsoon season, spanning from June to September, is vital for agriculture, it frequently causes widespread destruction.

Experts warn that climate change and global warming are contributing to the increasing irregularity of monsoons, resulting in more frequent landslides and flash floods, especially in India's Himalayan north.