66 people die due to heavy rain in Himachal and Uttarakhand. Houses collapse in Shimla and Joshimath.
Rain and Landslides Claim 66 Lives in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Incessant rains and landslides have led to the tragic loss of 66 lives in the regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The relentless downpours triggered landslides and caused homes to collapse in various areas.
The majority of the fatalities occurred in Himachal Pradesh, where Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu revealed that 60 people have lost their lives since the heavy rains commenced on August 13.
Rescue operations are ongoing to save those injured and retrieve bodies from the debris of collapsed houses. Tragically, on Tuesday, three bodies were recovered due to landslides. Among them, one was found under the rubble of a collapsed Shiva temple in Shimla, while two individuals perished in a fresh landslide in the city.
The impact has been severe, with at least eight houses, including makeshift ones, collapsing. A slaughterhouse was also buried under debris following a landslide in Krishnanagar locality, Shimla.
As a result of the calamity, all schools and colleges in the state will remain closed due to inclement weather. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, police, and SDRF are actively engaged in rescue efforts.
The weather office has issued alerts for heavy rainfall in the coming days, urging caution in flood and landslide-prone areas. Himachal Pradesh University has suspended teaching activities, and the government is committed to expediting restoration efforts and ensuring essential services resume.
In neighboring Uttarakhand, the toll has risen to six due to rain-related incidents. The state has been grappling with heavy rains, leading to tragic incidents and the disappearance of individuals. The situation remains critical, with alerts for further rainfall and warnings against venturing into flood and landslide-affected regions.
As communities come together to address these challenges, authorities, and rescue teams are working tirelessly to provide aid and support in the face of this devastating natural disasters