DEHRADUN: Intense and prolonged rainfall in northern India has resulted in devastating floods and landslides, killing at least 49 people, with fears of more casualties as rescue operations continue. The affected regions, particularly the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, have borne the brunt of torrential downpours that have wreaked havoc on infrastructure and communities.
The toll includes nine fatalities resulting from the collapse of a Hindu temple in the state capital of Shimla. In Himachal Pradesh alone, the death count surged within the last 24 hours, now totaling 41 individuals, and more than a dozen people are currently missing.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, expressed his commitment to rescue efforts, with local authorities diligently working to remove debris and locate those potentially trapped. The state has witnessed buildings being flattened and roads swallowed by muddy torrents, illustrating the immense force of the natural disaster.
Floods Destruction in Northern India
Neighboring Uttarakhand has also suffered, with at least eight fatalities reported since Friday. A landslide near the popular yoga retreat of Rishikesh resulted in five individuals being buried under debris. While one individual was rescued, the search continues for the rest of the family trapped beneath the rubble.
Images from the affected areas portray a grim scene of destruction, with buildings reduced to rubble and infrastructure severely compromised. Communication networks, roads, and power lines have been disrupted, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, expressed her condolences to the families affected by the calamity and emphasized her distress over the loss of lives due to heavy rains.
The monsoon season, which contributes a significant portion of annual rainfall to South Asia, is essential for agriculture and livelihoods. However, its unpredictable and relentless nature poses recurring challenges in the form of floods and landslides.
This latest catastrophe follows the aftermath of last month’s monsoon rains, which claimed the lives of approximately 90 people and caused record-high water levels in the Yamuna River that runs through the capital, New Delhi.
