DEHRADUN: Emergency workers and rescuers search for survivors and clear wreckage are underway following heavy monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides in the Himalayan region, leaving at least 65 people and several others trapped. Among the victims are 11 people who lost their lives due to the collapse of a well-known temple.
Persistent heavy rainfall over several days has destroyed several buildings, bridges and washed away vehicles in the Himalayan region.
The occurrence of floods and landslides during India’s monsoon season is, unfortunately, familiar, causing significant damage on a regular basis. However, experts point to climate change as a factor intensifying the frequency and severity of these incidents.
The state authorities confirmed that Himachal Pradesh has lost 52 lives since Sunday, leaving thousands stranded due to disrupted roadways, power lines, and communication networks.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state’s chief minister, expressed his condolences and vowed comprehensive assistance to those affected. He also cautioned residents to remain indoors and avoid water bodies due to potential dangers. Distressing images depict bodies being extracted from debris in Himachal Pradesh, where the force of landslides has crushed structures.
In the state’s capital, Shimla, a renowned temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva crumbled under a landslide, resulting in 11 fatalities. Rescue operations are ongoing, with concerns that more lives are trapped beneath the rubble. Furthermore, railway lines dangle precariously in midair due to eroded ground underneath them.
Sukhu termed this disaster the most severe to hit Himachal Pradesh in five decades. Consequently, the state curtailed its annual Independence Day celebrations to focus on rescue missions. Over 300 tourists have been successfully saved from the flooding.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on Independence Day, acknowledged the immense challenges posed by recent natural calamities across the nation. He pledged combined efforts from state and central governments to aid affected families.
Floods in Uttarakhand
In the neighbouring Uttarakhand state, heavy rainfall-triggered landslides have also killed at least 13 people since Friday. Emergency teams are diligently working to clear debris and locate missing individuals. Tragedy struck near the renowned Rishikesh yoga retreat, where a landslide claimed five lives near the Ganges River.
Numerous roads in Uttarakhand have been closed due to the risk of flash floods stemming from ongoing heavy rainfall. The monsoon season is vital for the region, providing approximately 80% of its annual rainfall and sustaining agriculture and livelihoods for millions. Regrettably, it also brings destruction in the form of floods and landslides each year.
Last month, incessant monsoon rains led to the loss of 90 lives, and New Delhi saw the Yamuna River reach its highest water levels since 1978. Meteorologists anticipate continued heavy rainfall across the Indian Himalayas until at least Friday.
