A minimum of 72 individuals have perished in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh in India, as incessant bouts of heavy rain persistently trigger landslides and floods. This has resulted in a scramble among locals to find safety.
The majority of these casualties originate from Shimla, a picturesque tourist town nestled in Himachal Pradesh. This area has been relentlessly battered by intense rainfall since the previous week. Additionally, the state holds popularity among Hindu devotees due to its numerous religious shrines.
A tragic incident unfolded as a Hindu temple collapsed in the state capital, claiming the lives of at least 14 individuals. Concerns loom large as it is feared that many others might still be trapped under the rubble. The Solan district experienced its own share of devastation earlier in the week with a cloudburst leading to the loss of seven lives.
Providing insight, Vikram Singh, an operator at the state’s emergency operation center, shared on Thursday that the toll had risen to 72 people within a span of five days.
In response, the Indian Air Force has joined forces with national and state disaster response teams to initiate evacuation procedures for inhabitants in areas prone to flooding. Utilizing helicopters and motor boats, over 2,000 people have been successfully rescued and relocated to relief camps. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the chief minister of the state, confirmed this operation.
The region has witnessed an alarming 157 percent surge in rainfall over the past week, causing widespread destruction, a fact emphasized by the chief minister. He assured, “The scale of damage caused by the relentless rain is substantial. Though the process of restoration will be time-consuming, we are committed to pursuing it with the utmost urgency.”
Consequently, authorities have ordered the closure of all schools and colleges for the day. Furthermore, Himachal Pradesh University has extended the suspension of classes until the 19th of August as a response to the ongoing crisis.