NEW DELHI: The relentless onslaught of heavy rains in India’s northern states has led to widespread devastation, claiming at least 24 lives and leaving dozens more missing. Torrential downpours have triggered floods and landslides, washing away vehicles, erasing buildings, and disrupting critical infrastructure in the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Among the casualties, nine people lost their lives when a Hindu temple collapsed in the state capital of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The total death toll in the past 24 hours reached 16, according to Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, who acknowledged the efforts of local authorities in rescue operations and debris clearance. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate and aid any individuals who may still be trapped.
Images from the disaster-stricken areas depict grim scenes of bodies being extracted from debris that has buried structures and shattered roofs. Thousands of individuals remain stranded due to the destruction of key roads, power lines, and communication networks.
Rains Devastation in Northern India
The severity and frequency of flooding and landslides during India’s monsoon season have been exacerbated by climate change, with experts highlighting the need for urgent climate action to address these increasing challenges.
Sukhu shared a video of a raging torrent flooding roads on social media, urging residents to remain indoors and avoid proximity to rivers. Schools in the state have been temporarily closed in response to the crisis.
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, expressed her condolences to the affected families and conveyed her sorrow over the loss of lives caused by heavy rains. The devastation also extends to Uttarakhand state, where rescue teams raced against time to clear debris after landslides triggered by intense rainfall. A landslide near the popular yoga retreat of Rishikesh buried five individuals under debris. While one girl was successfully rescued, her family remains trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Eight lives have been claimed in Uttarakhand since Friday due to the calamitous weather conditions. Additionally, several towns and villages situated along rivers in the two Himalayan states are at risk of flash floods as the region anticipates further heavy rainfall.
The annual monsoon season, which contributes around 80 percent of South Asia’s total yearly rainfall, is of paramount importance to agriculture and millions of livelihoods. However, the monsoon’s destructive side, manifesting as landslides and floods, poses significant challenges to the region.
Last month, relentless monsoon rains resulted in the deaths of at least 90 people, and the Yamuna river in the capital city of New Delhi reached its highest water levels since 1978, highlighting the escalating impact of climate change on the region’s vulnerable infrastructure and communities.
