Severe Rain and Cloudbursts Cause Widespread Devastation in North India and Himachal Pradesh: Over 15 Dead

New Delhi: Heavy rains and cloudbursts have caused widespread destruction across North India and Himachal Pradesh, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall, which is likely to worsen the current situation. As of August 1, over 15 fatalities have been reported, with several individuals still missing due to the extreme weather conditions.

In Delhi NCR, persistent heavy rains have led to severe waterlogging, which has caused multiple incidents of drowning, building collapses, and electrocutions. In Gurugram, three people lost their lives when a high-tension wire fell due to the heavy rains. The Delhi Police have managed a staggering number of emergencies, including 2,945 calls related to traffic jams, 127 calls about waterlogging issues, and numerous reports of building collapses and fallen trees.

The impact has been particularly severe in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, cloudbursts on Wednesday resulted in devastating flash floods across several districts, including Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu. These events have claimed at least 14 lives, with over 50 people reported missing. Key incidents include cloudbursts in Rampur tehsil, Shimla, and Padhar tehsil, Mandi. The collapse of the Malana power project barrage in Kullu has left many stranded and cut off road access to several areas.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has called for an urgent meeting to address the crisis. Rescue operations are underway with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local units actively involved. The situation remains critical, with the threat of further rainfall potentially increasing the number of casualties.

In Uttarakhand, the situation is similarly dire, with five reported deaths, including two children, due to heavy rains. The state disaster response force is working diligently to rescue stranded pilgrims along the Kedarnath Yatra route. Significant infrastructure damage has been reported, including washed-out roads and destroyed footpaths, which are complicating rescue and relief efforts. The Tehri district experienced a house collapse that resulted in three deaths, and efforts to repair and restore connectivity are ongoing.

Additionally, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have faced challenges due to waterlogging and infrastructure issues caused by the relentless rains. The IMD’s forecast for continued heavy rainfall suggests that the situation may deteriorate further, prompting heightened vigilance from emergency services across the region.

As rescue and relief operations continue, the focus is on providing immediate aid to affected communities and mitigating further damage. The extent of the disaster underscores the urgent need for effective response strategies to manage extreme weather events and protect vulnerable populations.