Current:Home > InvestHeavy rain and landslides have killed at least 72 people this week in an Indian Himalayan state -WealthSphere Pro
Heavy rain and landslides have killed at least 72 people this week in an Indian Himalayan state
View
Date:2025-04-16 23:13:34
NEW DELHI (AP) — Days of relentless rain in India’s Himalayan region have killed at least 72 people this week, a government official said Thursday, as a heavy monsoon triggered landslides and flash floods that have submerged roads, washed away buildings and left residents scrambling for safety.
Rescuers in the mountainous Himachal Pradesh state have been working through challenging weather conditions to save people trapped under mud and debris from the rains that struck over the weekend. India’s weather department has put the state on high alert and expects the downpours to continue over the next few days.
Vikram Singh, an operator at the state’s emergency operation center, said on Thursday that the 72 deaths occurred over the previous five days and that rescue work was ongoing.
Hundreds of roads remain blocked and schools in the capital city of Shimla have been ordered shut as the Indian Air Force and disaster response teams help evacuate people from low-lying, vulnerable areas. The state’s chief minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said over 2,000 people have been rescued using helicopters and motor boats and are now safe in relief camps.
Visuals on social media showed trees falling apart as homes, built atop the hills, collapsed in succession. In the background, people can be heard crying out in horror, as they shouted “get out from here” and “get back.”
In Shimla, a Hindu temple collapsed on Monday amid deadly landslides, and authorities feared that people are still buried under the debris. Authorities said the temple was crowded with devotees, raising fears that the death toll could rise as rescue work carries on.
Homes in some districts were also washed away after a cloudburst — a sudden, very heavy rain — Sunday night, leaving roads flooded and people stranded.
Cloudbursts are defined as when more than 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) of rainfall occurs within 10 square kilometers (3.8 square miles) within an hour. They are a common occurrence in Himalayan regions, where they have the potential to cause intense flooding and landslides affecting thousands of people.
Sukhu, the chief minister, told the Press Trust of India news agency that it will take a year to rebuild infrastructure destroyed by the rains of this monsoon, and claimed the estimated loss to be about 100 billion rupees ($1.2 billion). “It’s a big challenge, a mountain-like challenge,” he said.
Last month, record monsoon showers killed more than 100 people over two weeks in parts of northern India, including in Himachal Pradesh, which was the worst hit.
Disasters caused by landslides and floods are common in India’s Himalayan north during the June-September monsoon season. Scientists say they are becoming more frequent as global warming increases.
However, local experts say the current disaster is likely due to unplanned construction in this vulnerable region. “It is poor planning and governance that has led to this much damage,” said Anand Sharma, a retired meteorologist with the Indian Meteorological Department, the country’s weather agency.
Sharma is from the Himalayan region and has closely observed weather patterns in this region for over three decades. He said the heavy and sometimes extreme rains is expected in the Himalayan foothills during the monsoon season.
“All the fallen buildings are those that were constructed recently, buildings built a 100 years ago have witnessed little to no damage,” he said, adding that growing tourism to the region is another factor.
“They build anywhere they like and when heavy rains occur, such disasters inevitably follow,” Sharma said.
—-
Arasu reported from Bengaluru, India. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Reuters withdraws two articles on anti-doping agency after arranging Masters pass for source
- 'It's going to die': California officer spends day off rescuing puppy trapped down well
- International fiesta fills New Mexico’s sky with colorful hot air balloons
- 'Most Whopper
- Wilmer Valderrama needs his sweatshirts, early morning runs and 'The Golden Bachelor'
- Judge refuses to dismiss Alabama lawsuit over solar panel fees
- 'Devastating consequences': Climate change likely worsened floods after Helene
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Garth Brooks accused of rape in lawsuit from hair-and-makeup artist
Ranking
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Advocates urge Ohio to restore voter registrations removed in apparent violation of federal law
- Wilmer Valderrama needs his sweatshirts, early morning runs and 'The Golden Bachelor'
- Los Angeles prosecutors to review new evidence in Menendez brothers’ 1996 murder conviction
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Greening of Antarctica is Another Sign of Significant Climate Shift on the Frozen Continent
- Aces guards have been 'separation factor' last two postseasons. Now, they're MIA
- Jobs report is likely to show another month of modest but steady hiring gains
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
For Pittsburgh Jews, attack anniversary adds to an already grim October
Dockworkers’ union suspends strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract
Jennifer Hudson Hilariously Confronts Boyfriend Common on Marriage Plans
Average rate on 30
Blue alert issued in Hall County, Texas for man suspected of injuring police officer
Source: Reds to hire Terry Francona as next manager to replace David Bell
Euphoria's Jacob Elordi Joins Olivia Jade Giannulli on Family Vacation With Mom Lori Loughlin