In the wake of relentless rainfall, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand continue to grapple with the aftermath of landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts that have claimed lives, disrupted infrastructure, and hampered development efforts in the two states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued ‘red alerts’ for several areas in these states, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.
As the downpour shows no signs of abating, rescue and relief operations are in full swing. The IMD has indicated that the ‘red alert’ would eventually be downgraded to an ‘orange alert,’ but the immediate threat of further destruction remains.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu marked Independence Day with a solemn ceremony, forgoing cultural festivities in light of the ongoing disaster. He reported that around 55 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents since the onslaught of landslides and unceasing rainfall. Sukhu highlighted the urgent restoration work and rescue operations taking place on a war footing. While major roads have been reopened, state roads are still in the process of becoming operational.
The tragic toll of the rainfall includes 14 bodies recovered from two landslides in Shimla. Mandi district has seen the second-highest fatalities, with 24 people succumbing to landslides. In Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall struck the Night Life Paradise Camp, resulting in one confirmed fatality and four individuals feared trapped under debris.
The IMD’s warnings extend to various areas in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar, where heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated. The recent heavy rains led Rishikesh to record the highest rainfall across India on Monday. Rain-related incidents claimed three lives, and 10 people remain missing in Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage to revered shrines like Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Gangotri had to be temporarily suspended due to road damages caused by landslides.
Major highways, including Kalka-Shimla, Kiratpur-Manali, and Pathankot-Mandi, Dharamshala-Shimla routes, were blocked, leading to travel disruptions. Furthermore, fresh cracks have appeared in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath, increasing the risk of landslides and potential calamity for residents.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level meeting to address the situation arising from the heavy rainfall and conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas. The state authorities are working diligently to manage the crisis and provide assistance to affected communities.
As the relentless rains continue to pose challenges, the resilience and efforts of both the local administration and citizens remain crucial in mitigating the impact of this natural disaster.
Sources By Agencies
