The extreme destruction brought on by the monsoon rains in North India has claimed the lives of thirty-seven people in the last two days. Having suffered devastating weather events over the last two weeks, Himachal Pradesh has reported 72 deaths during this period alone. Everybody else has stopped working because those who lost their loved ones are still grieved afternoons while some groups of soldiers and national disaster forces are always staying awake to work in affected parts of India.
Frequent downpours have resulted in mudslides, inundations, and water accumulation in several municipalities; thereby, confining residents within their residences. Many major roads have been submerged to the waist line by which; there are collapsed trees, lightning flashes and collapsed structures. It was promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the chief ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand in their discussions that they would be supported by the federal government.
In the state of Himachal Pradesh, things look grimmer with Shimla at risk from Sutlej River crossing the dangerous threshold. In total, during these last fortnight, there has been a loss of money amounting to an incredible Rs 785.51 crore. All institutions and schools have been ordered to close for the next twenty-four hours due to the issuance of an orange warning. As officials get ready for additional rain, residents are advised to stay inside.
Ten districts in Himachal Pradesh have received red alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicating the possibility of further intense rain. In countless places, rainfall reached heights never seen before; Solan registered 135mm on Sunday which is a new 50-year record. Train services between Shimla and Kalka have been disrupted following landslides across these roads.
Three pilgrims drowned after their car went into the Ganga during a landslide in neighbouring Uttarakhand, one of at least nine people who have perished in rain-related tragedies in that state. Given the ongoing rise in major river water levels, the administration is on high alert.
In Punjab and Haryana, the severe rains have also resulted in floods and waterlogging, which has prompted emergency meetings among officials. Due to home collapses during storms, five deaths have been recorded in Haryana. Punjabi authorities have asked the army to help in flood relief operations.
According to the meteorological office, North India will continue to have heavy rains, which will have an impact on millions of people’s lives.
