India's active southwest monsoon continued to unleash widespread disruption on Tuesday, triggering landslides, flash floods and severe waterlogging across several states. Kerala, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were among the worst-affected regions as heavy rainfall impacted transport, education and daily life.

In Kerala, six workers were injured after a landslide struck the Anakkompoyil–Meppadi tunnel project site in Wayanad district. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital, while rescue and relief teams remained deployed at the location. Authorities continued to monitor the area amid concerns over further rainfall.

Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran described the incident as a "man-made landslide", suggesting that excavation activities at the tunnel construction site may have contributed to the collapse. Officials have begun assessing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Mumbai Receives Nearly 380 mm Rain

Maharashtra witnessed one of its heaviest spells of monsoon rainfall this season, with Mumbai recording nearly 380 mm (15 inches) of rainfall over the past 48 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for the city, warning of continued heavy to very heavy rainfall.

As a precautionary measure, authorities declared a holiday for all government and private schools and colleges in Mumbai on Tuesday. Similar closures were announced in Nashik, where persistent rainfall disrupted normal life.

The downpour caused extensive waterlogging in several parts of Mumbai, including Vasai-Virar and Nalasopara, affecting roads, residential societies and commercial establishments. Rising water levels were also reported in the Godavari River in Nashik, while the Bhima River crossed the danger mark near Daund.

The Thane district administration prohibited tourists from visiting waterfalls, forts, rivers, dams and lakes until further orders due to the risk of landslides and flash floods.

Cloudburst Triggers Flooding in Jammu & Kashmir

A cloudburst in the upper reaches of Doda district in Jammu & Kashmir sent mud, rocks and debris rushing into residential areas, disrupting road connectivity and damaging vehicles.

Visuals from Thathri town showed floodwaters carrying large quantities of debris through streets, leaving several vehicles stranded. Local authorities have launched damage assessment operations while monitoring vulnerable areas for further rainfall.

Nearby Kishtwar district also witnessed flooding and mudslides, affecting transportation and normal movement.

Heavy Rain Continues Across States

The active monsoon system continued to bring widespread rainfall across western, central and northern India.

In Gujarat, multiple weather systems remained active simultaneously, resulting in heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across South Gujarat and parts of Saurashtra. Several agricultural fields in Junagadh district were submerged after continuous rain.

Rajasthan also remained under the influence of an active monsoon system, prompting the IMD to issue an Orange Alert for seven districts and Yellow Alerts across most remaining parts of the state.

Madhya Pradesh continued to receive widespread rainfall for the sixth consecutive day. According to weather officials, the state's average rainfall has now reached nearly seven inches, reducing the seasonal rainfall deficit to just one per cent after a delayed start to the monsoon.

In Uttar Pradesh, heavy showers were reported in Chandauli, while Lucknow, Varanasi and several eastern districts experienced intermittent rainfall under cloudy skies.

Weather Alerts Remain in Force

The IMD has warned that active monsoon conditions are likely to persist over several parts of the country over the next two days.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast for parts of Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Sikkim. Authorities across multiple states have advised residents to avoid flood-prone areas, remain cautious near rivers and landslide-prone zones, and follow official weather advisories.

With rivers rising, transport disrupted and rescue teams on alert in multiple regions, officials continue to closely monitor the evolving weather situation as the monsoon maintains its intense pace across India.

J&K strengthens rural shield; 1,500 Village Defence Guards deployed after Operation Sindoor

Following the success of Operation Sindoor, security agencies have intensified the training of local volunteers to create a multi-tiered surveillance grid in sensitive border districts.

 In a significant move to fortify the internal security apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir, over 1,500 Village Defence Guards (VDGs) have been formally trained and integrated into the security grid across five districts. This surge in local mobilization follows the tactical shift seen during Operation Sindoor, where human intelligence and local resistance proved pivotal in neutralizing infiltration attempts.

These volunteers, primarily from the hilly and remote terrains of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Samba, and Kathua, are now working 12-hour shifts alongside regular security forces. Unlike the older iterations of village defence groups, the current VDGs are being equipped with Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), replacing the vintage .303 rifles, and are receiving bulletproof jackets and wireless communication sets to ensure they can hold their ground until reinforcements arrive.

Tactical shift in rural surveillance

The induction of these guards marks a transition toward a more "proactive" rather than "reactive" security model. In many of these border hamlets, the VDGs act as the first line of defense. Officials noted that the training has moved beyond basic weapon handling to include tactical movement and mountain surveillance.

"The terrain here is our biggest challenge, but it is also our biggest advantage if the locals are on our side," a senior police official stationed in the Jammu division said. He added that nearly 60% of actionable intelligence in recent search operations has come directly from these local human networks.

Declining violence and the tourism hurdle

Statistical data from the past year suggests a shift in the ground reality. Deaths resulting from terrorist incidents have seen a notable decline of approximately 27.5%, dropping from 127 in the preceding year to 92. However, the shadow of past violence continues to loom over the economy.

Tourism figures have taken a significant hit, with annual footfalls dropping from a high of 33 lakh to around 11.60 lakh. The current emphasis on VDG patrolling and visible security is part of a broader strategy to rebuild confidence among travelers and restore normalcy in the hinterland.

Human intelligence as a force multiplier

The impact of local involvement was recently visible in Kishtwar’s Sinhpora, where local inputs led to the elimination of two terrorists. A similar success was recorded in Kathua’s Bilwar area this past January, where VDG members assisted security forces in tracking down and eliminating Usman, a high-ranking Jaish-e-Mohammed commander.

"When a stranger enters a village, the locals know immediately," says Amit Kumar, a VDG member from Rajouri. "Earlier, there was fear. Now, with the SLRs and the backing of the Army, there is a sense of responsibility. We monitor the ridgelines and report any movement that doesn't belong."

Preparations for Amarnath Yatra

With the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to commence on July 3, the security grid is being tightened further. Around 190 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), recently returned from election duties elsewhere in the country, are being redeployed across the UT.

These units, comprising roughly 19,000 personnel, will focus on securing highways and the vulnerable mountainous tracks leading to the holy cave. The VDGs in peripheral villages will play a crucial role in ensuring that the heights overlooking the Yatra routes remain sanitized.

Empowerment of women in VDG

Interestingly, the latest recruitment and training drives in Doda and surrounding areas have seen an uptick in participation from women. These female volunteers are being integrated into the surveillance network, particularly in areas where household-level monitoring and forest patrolling are essential.

As the security situation evolves, the focus remains on the "last mile" of defense. By empowering the people who live on the edge of the border, the administration hopes to create a permanent deterrent against infiltration that doesn't solely rely on the physical presence of the military in every single valley.