Intense Rain and Cloudbursts Strike North India and Himachal Pradesh: 15+ Dead, Cities in Ruins
New Delhi: Heavy rains and cloudbursts have wreaked havoc across North India, including Himachal Pradesh, leaving a trail of death and destruction. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted more heavy rainfall for the northern states, exacerbating an already dire situation. As of August 1, more than 15 people have been reported dead, with several others missing due to the severe weather conditions.
In Delhi NCR, relentless downpours resulted in massive waterlogging, causing multiple incidents of drowning, building collapses, and electrocutions. In Gurugram, three individuals tragically lost their lives when a high-tension wire fell onto them after breaking due to the heavy rains. The Delhi Police reported a staggering 2,945 calls in the past 24 hours related to traffic jams, 127 calls for waterlogging issues, and numerous complaints about building collapses and uprooted trees.
The situation has been similarly grim in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, cloudbursts on Wednesday led to severe flash floods, impacting several districts, including Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu. These cloudbursts resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people, with over 50 individuals reported missing. Notable incidents include a cloudburst in Rampur tehsil, Shimla, and Padhar tehsil, Mandi, which devastated the region. The Malana power project barrage in Kullu also collapsed, leaving many stranded and cutting off road connectivity.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urgently convened a meeting to review the crisis. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local rescue units are actively involved in search and rescue operations. The situation remains precarious with the constant threat of further rain and potential rise in casualties.
Uttarakhand has also been hit hard, with five reported deaths, including two children, due to heavy rainfall. The state disaster response force is working tirelessly to rescue stranded pilgrims along the Kedarnath Yatra route. Infrastructure damage is significant, including washed-out roads and destroyed footpaths, making access to affected areas challenging. The Tehri district experienced a house collapse that resulted in three fatalities, with ongoing efforts to repair and restore connectivity.
The relentless rains have also impacted Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, causing waterlogging and infrastructure issues. The IMD’s warning of continued heavy rainfall suggests that the situation could worsen, with emergency services across the region on high alert.
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on providing relief to affected communities and mitigating further damage. The scale of the disaster highlights the urgent need for effective response strategies to handle extreme weather events and safeguard vulnerable populations.
FOLLOW FOR MORE.
