Tragically, torrential rains have swept through northern India, resulting in the deaths of 22 individuals and leaving more than 50 people missing. The severe weather conditions, including cloudbursts, landslides, flooding, and waterlogging, have caused widespread devastation across the region.
The Indian capital territory and its surrounding areas were particularly hard hit on Wednesday evening, with relentless downpours leading to record rainfall in some parts of the city. This intense rainfall caused significant flooding, rendering most parts of Delhi waterlogged and disrupting traffic flow. Commuters found themselves stranded for hours as roads became impassable.
Authorities reported that at least 10 fatalities occurred in the Delhi metropolitan area, including five in Delhi, three in Gurugram, and two in Greater Noida. In response to the escalating situation, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Delhi, urging residents to remain indoors, secure their homes, and avoid unnecessary travel. The severity of the rains also forced the Delhi government to close all schools on Thursday to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The impact of the heavy rains extended beyond Delhi. Northern states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have reported an additional 12 deaths, with over 50 individuals still missing, according to reports from ANI and NDTV. Rescue operations are currently underway as authorities work to locate and assist those affected by the natural disaster.
The unprecedented weather events highlight the increasing vulnerability of regions to extreme weather conditions, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and timely emergency responses to mitigate the effects of such natural calamities.
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22 killed, over 50 missing in rain-related incidents in N India
cgtn.com
