Local authorities report that over 50 persons died on Monday in the Himachal Pradesh state of northern India as a result of heavy rainfall and landslides.
At least nine of those slain were among those who perished after water caused a temple to collapse in Shimla, the state capital and a well-liked tourist destination. During a Monday visit to the temple site, the state’s chief minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, told the Indian news agency ANI that the incident happened at around 8 a.m. local time.
The deceased’s remains have been found, and the “local administration is diligently working to clear the debris,” Sukhu wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday.
He noted that while rescue efforts are ongoing, between 20 to 25 individuals are still trapped. Five people have so far been saved.
Sukhu told ANI on Monday night that the death toll has surpassed 50 and might keep going up.
Amit Shah, India’s minister of home affairs, wrote on social media that the deaths were “extremely distressing.” National disaster response organisations are “participating in relief and rescue efforts alongside the local government.” I offer the families of the deceased my sincere sympathies,” he continued.
“We have directed the authorities to ensure all possible assistance and support to the affected families during this trying period,” Sukhu wrote in a Monday X post.
I urge people to stay inside and keep away from rivers and landslide-prone regions, the man stated.
Due to the continued heavy rain and the Indian Meteorological Department issuing a red advisory for the state, traffic police authorities have also advised the general population to stay home.
Social media posts and videos show demolished highways and downed trees, while water flowing down hillsides sends enormous rocks flying.
One of the states most severely impacted by the current monsoon season is Himachal Pradesh. across the month of July, landslides and flash floods across the state claimed the lives of over 30 people.
According to a statement released by Sukhu’s office on Monday, the state had experienced the most number of “cloudburst incidents,” or extremely sudden and damaging rainstorms, in the state in the previous 50 years.
According to some scientists, the chaotic and unpredictable monsoon season in India is being caused by the human-induced climate disaster.