While the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed pending ongoing search and rescue operations, the minister stated that retrieving bodies and restoring connectivity in the affected regions are currently the government’s top priorities.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of potential landslides in 31 sub-divisions in Karnataka, after a red alert for heavy rainfall has also been issued for Wednesday.

Incidents of flooding, uprooting of trees, property damage and minor landslides were reported from many parts of the northern Kerala districts of Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, where the IMD had issued a red alert for the day.

The weather forecast outlines specific warnings for each day till July 18. This is accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across NCAP, Yanam, SCAP and Rayalaseema.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar swiftly responded on Friday by announcing a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for each deceased victim's family. 

The forecast predicts continued heavy rain across North India, impacting states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar over the next few days. Coastal regions of Gujarat and the West Coast are also expected to experience significant rainfall.

Northwest India recorded its warmest June since 1901, with a mean temperature of 31.73 degrees Celsius, surpassing the long-term average.

"Normal to above-normal rainfall is most likely over most parts of the country except many parts of northeast India and some parts of northwest, east, and southeast peninsular India," he said. 

Eleven districts in Punjab and Chandigarh are expected to experience rain and strong winds - Mansa, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, S A S Nagar, Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot, Ludhiana.

"Delhi is likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the day, with an even heavier spell anticipated on Sunday and Monday," the IMD said.

The northern limit of the monsoon now extends from Mundra in Gujarat to Raxaul in Bihar, signaling its steady advance.

Punjab's State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) issued a warning concerning the prevailing heatwave conditions, forecasting severe heatwave conditions until June 17th, 1:30 PM.