Torrential rains and landslides have wreaked havoc in northern India, claiming the lives of at least 15 people and causing widespread damage. As the Indian capital wrestles with heavy monsoon rains, neighboring Pakistan is on high alert due to the diversion of waters from Indian dams, raising concerns of potential flooding.
The recent heavy downpours led to landslides and flash floods in various parts of India, resulting in a death toll of 15 over the past three days. New Delhi, in particular, experienced severe consequences, prompting the closure of schools to ensure the safety of students. The capital witnessed roads submerged and residents stranded as floodwaters inundated the city.
The northern hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand bore the brunt of the calamity, with 10 people losing their lives in flash floods and landslides. Additionally, one fatality was recorded in New Delhi, while four deaths occurred in the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir.
The torrential rain triggered landslides that disrupted traffic on crucial highways in Uttarakhand, a popular tourist destination nestled in the Himalayas. Authorities issued warnings for residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. Helicopters were deployed to rescue stranded individuals, while bridges and houses were washed away in neighboring Himachal Pradesh.
India's meteorological agency has predicted further heavy rainfall in the northern regions in the upcoming days. The agency stated that monsoon rains across the country have already exceeded the normal precipitation levels by approximately 2%.
The monsoon season, which spans from June to September, brings the majority of South Asia's annual rainfall. While these rains are essential for rain-fed crops planted during this period, they often lead to widespread devastation.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of landslides and flash floods in India's Himalayan north to climate change and global warming, which have resulted in erratic monsoons.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, which has also been battered by monsoon rains, authorities are closely monitoring the situation in anticipation of the season's first major flooding. The concern arose after India diverted water from dams into the Ravi River, which flows from India into Pakistan.
Pakistan's disaster management agency initiated evacuations from low-lying areas in the eastern Punjab province. More than 500 people were relocated from villages in Narowal, Sialkot, and other affected areas. Since June 25, heavy rains have impacted tens of thousands of people in Pakistan, resulting in the death of 80 individuals and injuring 182.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the efforts of rescuers in Punjab for successfully evacuating stranded individuals. Pakistan acknowledged that India had informed Islamabad about the water release into the Ravi River, as mandated by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, mediated by the World Bank.
Pakistan continues to face economic challenges and is still recovering from last year's devastating floods, which claimed the lives of 1,739 people and caused approximately $30bn in damages.
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