Title: Heavy Rains and Landslides Claim Over 40 Lives in Himachal Pradesh, India
Subtitle: Flooding in popular tourist area leads to temple collapse and multiple deaths
New Delhi, India – At least 40 people have lost their lives and many more remain trapped or missing in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in the Northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. According to India’s state-broadcaster DD, the disaster struck on Monday, causing widespread devastation and prompting rescue efforts across the region.
Among the fatalities, nine people tragically died when flooding caused a temple in the state capital Shimla to collapse. The incident occurred at approximately 8 a.m. local time and has raised concerns about the safety of tourist areas. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who visited the temple site on Monday, disclosed this information to Indian news agency ANI.
The recovery of the bodies has begun, and local authorities are tirelessly working to clear the debris, as confirmed by Chief Minister Sukhu on X (previously known as Twitter). Five individuals have been successfully rescued from different locations, while rescue operations are ongoing to reach and aid the approximately 20 to 25 people still trapped.
With a total death toll reaching 41, the Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah expressed deep distress over the loss of life. The National Disaster Response Force, in collaboration with local administration, has initiated relief and rescue operations. Minister Shah extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families affected by this tragic event.
To provide support and assistance to the affected families, Chief Minister Sukhu issued directives to the authorities during this challenging time. Moreover, he urged citizens to remain indoors and avoid areas prone to landslides and rivers. The ongoing heavy rain has prompted the traffic police and the Indian Meteorological Department to issue warnings, encouraging the public to avoid unnecessary travel.
Videos and images shared on social media have captured the extent of the destruction, including destroyed roads, fallen trees, and gushing water carrying large rocks down mountains. Himachal Pradesh has repeatedly witnessed severe devastation during this year’s monsoon season. In July, over 30 people lost their lives due to flash floods and landslides, emphasizing the increasingly erratic nature of the monsoon attributed to the human-caused climate crisis.
As rescue operations continue and the scale of the tragedy becomes clearer, the focus remains on saving lives, providing support to affected families, and addressing the need for better disaster preparedness in vulnerable areas.