120 killed, thousands displaced as monsoon batters Himalayan states, northeast
Around 120 people have died in the past few weeks as relentless monsoon rain batters Himalayan and northeastern states, with floods, flash floods and landslides
Around 120 people have died in the past few weeks as relentless monsoon rain batters Himalayan and northeastern states, with floods, flash floods and landslides leaving a trail of destruction. Across Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people have been displaced, roads and bridges have been washed away, railway services have been disrupted and rescue agencies are racing to evacuate stranded residents as heavy rain continues. Read Full Story In Himachal Pradesh, 66 people have died in rain-related incidents through July, while 31 people have lost their lives in this year's floods in Assam after 21 fresh deaths in a single day. Jammu and Kashmir has reported 23 deaths in the last 48 hours, and Nagaland's toll has risen to nine after flash floods and landslides. Flooding has also hit Arunachal Pradesh, where nearly 1.49 lakh people have been affected by the monsoon. Weather agencies have warned of more heavy rain, flash floods and landslides, prompting authorities to keep disaster response teams on high alert. J&K: 23 KILLED IN 48 HOURS, AMARNATH YATRA SUSPENDED Jammu and Kashmir remains among the worst-hit regions, with 23 people killed in flood-related incidents over the last 48 hours, most of them from Poonch and Rajouri districts. Seven people remain missing as search operations continue. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 48-hour severe weather alert, warning of heavy to very heavy rain, flash floods, landslides and land sinking. Rain continued across much of the Union Territory, with intense spells reported from Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Reasi, Samba and Kishtwar in Jammu division and Budgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal in Kashmir.
Water levels in the Jhelum and Chenab rivers and several tributaries have risen sharply, inundating villages and towns. All the gates of Salal Dam were opened as Chenab after heavy rain. The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), assisted by the Army and police, is carrying out rescue operations in the worst-hit areas, evacuating residents and restoring road connectivity where bridges and roads have been washed away. Heavy rain has also led to the suspension of the Amarnath Yatra as a precautionary measure. Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway (NH-44) has been halted due to multiple mudslides and shooting stones along the route. Authorities have advised commuters not to travel until weather conditions improve and the highway is declared safe. HIMACHAL: 66 DEAD IN JULY, CLOUDBURSTS CAUSE MASSIVE DAMAGE Himachal Pradesh continued to reel under heavy monsoon rain, with the state reporting 66 rain-related deaths during July alone, including fatalities due to landslides, road accidents and falling rocks. Fresh overnight rain in Kangra district injured three people and damaged 12 more houses, taking the total number of damaged houses in the valley to 18, after six homes were washed away on Tuesday. A cloudburst triggered flash floods and massive debris flows in two villages in Kangra. Officials said 13 permanent houses, five temporary houses and nine cowsheds have been damaged. Livestock losses include three buffaloes, four cows, one bull and one sheep. Residents reported hearing a loud blast-like sound moments before torrents of water, mud and boulders rushed downhill. Authorities said timely evacuation prevented any loss of life in the affected villages.
The BriefWire