Floods Wreak Havoc in Indian Himalayan Region

Incessant rain has wreaked havoc in the Indian Himalayan region, claiming at least 49 lives and leaving dozens missing. The northern states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have been severely affected, with torrential downpours washing away vehicles, demolishing buildings, and destroying bridges. The region’s residents are no strangers to the monsoon season, which typically brings flooding and landslides, but experts warn that the climate crisis is increasing their frequency and severity.

In Himachal Pradesh, the official death toll stood at 41, with at least nine fatalities reported at a Hindu temple in Shimla that collapsed due to the rain. Thirteen others were still missing, and rescue efforts were underway to locate them. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu described the situation as “disturbing” and urged people to stay indoors and avoid near rivers, as key roads, power lines, and communication networks were severely disrupted. Thousands of residents were stranded, with schools shut down as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, rescue teams were working to remove debris after heavy rainfall triggered landslides, fearing that several people might be buried under the rubble. A landslide at a resort near Rishikesh left five people trapped under the debris, with only one child rescued so far. The district police superintendent, Shweta Choubey, expressed concern over the fate of the rest of the family.

The situation is dire, with several riverside towns and villages in the Himalayan states at risk of flash floods from the heavy rain. The monsoon season is crucial for south Asia, bringing 80% of the region’s annual rainfall and supporting agriculture and the livelihoods of millions. However, it also causes destruction every year through landslides and floods.

Last month, a similar spell of relentless monsoon rain killed at least 90 people, while the Yamuna River in the capital, Delhi, reached its highest level since 1978. The Indian president, Droupadi Murmu, expressed condolences to those affected in Himachal Pradesh, saying she was “hurt” by the loss of lives caused by the heavy rains.