Rains and Landslides Claim Lives in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand: 81 Dead and Counting

81 lives lost in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand due to heavy rains and devastating landslides

Amid relentless rainfall and devastating landslides, the northern Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have witnessed a tragic loss of 81 lives. Rescue efforts are ongoing to save the injured and recover bodies from collapsed houses and debris.The weather forecast predicts more heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the coming days, exacerbating the already dire situation.

Himachal Pradesh Struggles: Death Toll Reaches 71

Himachal Pradesh has been severely impacted, with the death toll reaching 71 due to the recent deluge. Continuous heavy rains triggered landslides in various districts, particularly affecting areas like Shimla's Summer Hill, Fagli, and Krishna Nagar.

Rescue operations persist in the affected areas, as 1,731 individuals have been saved from the flooded regions of Indora and Fatehpur sub-divisions in Kangra district. These efforts involve the collaboration of Air Force helicopters, Army personnel, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Landslides, collapsing buildings, and the threat of further landslips continue to pose challenges to these rescue efforts.

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Record Rainfall and Damage Assessment

Himachal Pradesh has encountered 742 mm of rainfall within the 54 days of this year's monsoon, surpassing the average of 730 mm for the June 1 to September 30 period. The unprecedented rainfall in July alone shattered the records of the past 50 years, according to the Shimla Meteorological Centre.

Uttarakhand has also suffered substantial losses, as four bodies were retrieved from the debris of a resort in Lakshman Jhula. This resort was hit by a landslide caused by heavy rainfall. With the addition of these fatalities, the state's rain-related death toll has risen to 10. The ongoing landslide has disrupted traffic along the Pauri-Kotdwar-Dugadda national highway and damaged a stretch of the Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway.

Punjab Faces New Flood Challenges

In addition to the woes faced by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the state of Punjab is grappling with fresh flooding. Areas in Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and Rupnagar districts are submerged due to the release of excess water from the Pong and Bhakra dams. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assures that the government is closely monitoring the situation and initiating relief and rescue operations in the affected zones.

As these regions battle nature's fury, rescue teams and authorities strive to alleviate the impact of heavy rains, landslides, and flooding, while providing aid to those affected by the calamity.

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