Torrential rain in India’s Himalayas has led to devastating landslides, causing the loss of at least 18 lives and leaving many others missing or trapped. The region has been experiencing unusually heavy rainfall and melting glaciers, resulting in deadly flash floods in India, Nepal, and Pakistan over the past couple of years. These incidents are increasingly attributed to climate change, according to government officials.
The affected areas of India’s Himachal Pradesh state witnessed houses being flattened, vehicles hanging precariously on the edge of cliffs due to road collapses, and rescue operations underway to clear debris. Expressing his sorrow, the state’s chief minister, Sukhvinder Singh, stated on the messaging platform X (formerly known as Twitter): “Once again, tragedy has struck Himachal Pradesh due to incessant rainfall over the past 48 hours.”
Singh added, “Several reports of cloudbursts and landslides have emerged from different parts of the state, resulting in the loss of lives and property.”
The number of casualties continues to rise as the chief minister personally inspects the affected areas. In one of the most devastating incidents, a temple in the state capital, Shimla, collapsed, and at least nine bodies were recovered. The government has ordered the closure of schools and other educational institutions, and residents in vulnerable areas are being relocated to safety in shelters.
According to the India Meteorological Department, certain parts of the state received up to 273mm of rainfall within 24 hours. “This is the first time we have witnessed multiple cloudburst incidents and substantial damage in the state,” said Praveen Bhardwaj, an official from the state’s disaster management department.
In the Solan district, several houses collapsed due to a cloudburst, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals. Furthermore, a mother and her child were killed in the Mandi district when their house collapsed, informed Bhardwaj.
The situation remains critical in the affected areas as rescue and recovery efforts continue amidst ongoing rainfall. The authorities are working tirelessly to provide relief and support to those affected by these tragic incidents in the Indian Himalayas.