Monsoon fury: Landslides kill 50+ in Himachal, 3 in Uttarakhand
What's the story
Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, causing landslides and destroying homes, killing over 50 people.
According to reports, several devotees were also buried under the debris of a Shimla temple.
Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, the Chardham Yatra has been suspended for two days after three people were killed and 10 others went missing following landslides that blocked national highways connecting the religious sites.
Rescue and relief
Centre dispatches NDRF teams for relief, rescue operations
According to PTI, Mandi remained the worst-impacted district in Himachal, with 19 people killed there in rain-related events.
Following the monsoon fury, the Union Home Affairs Ministry dispatched National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams for relief and rescue operations.
The operation was also supported by the Indian Army, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), state police, and other organizations.
Shimla
Heavy rains disrupt rescue operation at Shimla temple
Meanwhile, heavy rain has also disrupted the rescue operations in Shimla, where several individuals are trapped under the temple debris, reported News18.
Power lines damaged by landslides and toppled trees have also left some areas without power since Sunday night.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had earlier said that nine dead bodies were found in the Shiva temple rubble in the Summer Hill area.
Twitter Post
Soldiers supposed to participate in I-Day celebrations deployed for rescue
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says "Over 50 people have lost their lives in the state in last 24 hours. Over 20 people are still trapped, the death toll can also increase. Search and rescue operation is underway. We have taken the decision not to organise… pic.twitter.com/bTeaotLcLv
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2023
Prediction
IMD predicts heavy rains in Himachal until Friday
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in Himachal Pradesh, predicting heavy rains on Tuesday. It said the wet spell would continue in the state until Friday.
Notably, the weather office forecasted severe rainfall over the state on Monday, with the exception of Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts.
Meanwhile, all schools and colleges remained closed on Monday.
Uttarakhand
Landslides breach national highways in Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand, landslides caused by heavy rains breached the national highways to Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Gangotri shrines, leading to the suspension of the Chardham Yatra for a duration of two days.
The IMD has also issued a red alert in the state, predicting "heavy to very heavy rainfall" in six districts: Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Champawat.
Information
Flash floods forecast in Uttarkhand areas
Furthermore, the IMD predicted a moderate risk of flash floods in a few areas of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. "There could be surface runoff and inundation in certain fully saturated soils and low-lying areas across the affected region due to expected rainfall," it said.