Himachal Pradesh rain mayhem kills 55; 3 die in Uttarakhand; 'red' alerts issued

The monsoon season in India is usually a time of joy and relief, as the rains bring respite from the scorching heat and drought. However, this year, the monsoon has turned into a nightmare for many parts of the country, especially the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. These states have witnessed unprecedented rainfall, landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and other disasters that have claimed lives, damaged properties, and disrupted normal life.

According to the latest reports, at least 55 people have died in Himachal Pradesh and three in Uttarakhand due to rain-related incidents in the past few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red alert' for several districts of these states, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. The 'red alert' is the highest level of warning issued by the IMD, indicating that the situation is extremely severe and requires immediate action.

The worst-hit districts in Himachal Pradesh are Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, and Kinnaur. Several roads, bridges, houses, and buildings have been washed away or damaged by landslides and floods. The Chandigarh-Shimla highway, which is a lifeline for the state, was blocked for several hours due to multiple landslides. The state government has deployed rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Army to evacuate stranded people and provide relief materials.

In Uttarakhand, the districts of Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar are on high alert due to heavy rainfall. Rishikesh recorded the highest amount of rainfall in the country on Monday, with 268.4 mm of rain in 24 hours². The Ganga river and its tributaries are flowing above the danger mark in many places, posing a threat of floods. Several tourist spots, such as Mussoorie, Nainital, and Rishikesh, have been cut off from the rest of the state due to landslides and road closures.

The state governments of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have appealed to the people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. They have also cancelled all official functions and cultural events on Independence Day in view of the calamity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief over the loss of lives and assured all possible assistance to the affected states.

The heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand is attributed to a low-pressure system over northwest India and an active monsoon trough that extends from Rajasthan to Assam. The IMD has predicted that the rainfall activity will decrease gradually from Wednesday onwards. However, it has also warned that there is a possibility of isolated heavy rainfall in some parts of these states till Friday.

The monsoon season in India is expected to last till September. While it is essential for agriculture and water resources, it also brings along various challenges and risks. It is important for the authorities and the public to be prepared and vigilant to deal with any emergency situation that may arise due to the vagaries of nature.

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(1) Himachal Pradesh rain mayhem kills 55; 3 die in Uttarakhand; ‘red’ alerts issued: Top updates. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/himachal-pradesh-rain-mayhem-kills-55-3-die-in-uttarakhand-red-alerts-issued-top-updates/ar-AA1fi69O.

(2) Himachal Pradesh rain mayhem kills 55; 3 die in Uttarakhand; 'red .... https://www.tbsnews.net/world/south-asia/himachal-pradesh-rain-mayhem-kills-55-3-die-uttarakhand-red-alerts-issued-682850.

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(4) Red Alert Issued For Himachal Pradesh As Rain Mayhem Kills 55; IMD .... https://www.timesnownews.com/india/red-alert-issued-for-himachal-pradesh-as-rain-mayhem-kills-55-imd-predicts-heavy-showers-for-uttarakhand-article-102745697.