Devastating rain wreaks havoc in Himachal Pradesh: 55 lives lost, 'red' alerts issued - latest highlights

Continuing downpours have plunged Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand into a state of turmoil, with no respite in sight. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently issued a 'red alert' for numerous areas in these states, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall within the next 24 hours. The relentless rainfall, leading to landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, has resulted in casualties, property damage, and widespread infrastructure destruction, severely impacting development efforts in both regions.

Alert levels and ongoing impact

While the 'red alert' remains in place, the IMD anticipates it to gradually transition into an 'orange alert' over time. These alerts signal the urgency and severity of the weather conditions.
Recent events have unveiled a grim scenario in both states. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that, in light of the catastrophe, a subdued Independence Day ceremony was organized, foregoing cultural festivities. The calamity's toll has risen to around 55 lives lost, with the count still potentially rising. Restoration work is underway with urgency, focusing on rescuing trapped individuals and repairing vital infrastructure.

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Casualties and struggles

Tragedy struck Himachal's Shimla district, where 14 bodies have been retrieved from two landslide sites. The Mandi district endured the second-highest death count, with 24 casualties attributed to landslides. In Uttarakhand, a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall claimed one life, while four individuals are feared trapped under debris. The Night Life Paradise Camp in Uttarakhand's Pauri district was struck by the landslide, and concerns persist about those buried beneath the wreckage.
The IMD's forecast points to impending heavy to very heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar. Rishikesh, in Uttarakhand, experienced the country's highest recorded rainfall on a single day. As a consequence of the inclement weather, roads leading to revered shrines like Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Gangotri sustained damage, prompting a temporary halt to the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage.

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Challenges and efforts

The torrential rainfall led to severe disruptions, blocking major highways like Kalka-Shimla, Kiratpur-Manali, and Pathankot-Mandi, Dharamshala-Shimla routes. Additional concerns arose in Uttarakhand's Joshimath, where fresh cracks surfaced, raising the specter of potential landslides. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level meeting to address the crisis caused by heavy rainfall, followed by an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas. The relentless rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have underscored the need for swift and coordinated efforts to manage the immediate impact and restore normalcy in these affected regions.