Intense monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across northern India, resulting in at least 15 fatalities over a three-day period. The heavy downpours triggered landslides and flash floods, prompting school closures in New Delhi on Monday as roads became submerged and residents found themselves stranded.
The northern hill states bore the brunt of the deluge, with Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand reporting 10 deaths due to flash floods and landslides. One fatality occurred in New Delhi, while four lives were lost in the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir. The torrential rain caused significant disruptions, including traffic blockages on major highways in Uttarakhand, a popular tourist destination in the Himalayas. Authorities issued warnings urging residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary, and helicopters were deployed for rescue operations as bridges and homes were swept away in neighboring Himachal Pradesh.
India's meteorological agency predicts further heavy rainfall in the northern regions in the coming days. The current monsoon season has already exceeded the average rainfall by approximately 2%. India's monsoon season, spanning from June to September, is vital for agriculture but often leads to widespread destruction. Experts attribute the increasing irregularity of monsoons to climate change and global warming, resulting in more frequent landslides and flash floods in the Himalayan region.
A man observes a swollen river after heavy rains in Kullu, India, on July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/ Aqil Khan)
Neighboring Pakistan is also bracing for potential flooding as India releases water from dams into the Ravi River, which flows from India into Pakistan. Evacuations are underway in low-lying areas of eastern Punjab province, with over 500 people relocated from villages in Narowal, Sialkot, and other affected regions, according to Pakistan's disaster management agency. Since June 25, weather-related incidents in Pakistan have claimed at least 80 lives and injured 182, impacting tens of thousands across the country. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended rescue teams for their efforts in evacuating stranded residents in Punjab. Pakistan confirmed receiving notification from India regarding the release of water into the Ravi River, as mandated by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. Pakistan is still grappling with the aftermath of last summer's devastating floods, which caused 1,739 deaths and inflicted $30 billion in damages.
