Floods and Landslides Triggered by Record-Breaking Rain Kill At Least 11 in India’s Jammu Region
The death toll from floods and landslides in the Indian-administered territory of Jammu and Kashmir has risen to at least 11, with four children among the dead.
SRINAGAR, India: Floods and landslides triggered by record-breaking rain have killed at least 11 people, including four children, in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region.
The intense monsoon rainstorm that began on Tuesday has caused widespread chaos, with raging water damaging bridges and flooding homes.
According to local disaster officials, the Ramban and Reasi districts were particularly affected by heavy rainfall and landslides on Friday night, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals.
One child, aged five, remains missing after being trapped in debris.
On Wednesday, a landslide struck the pilgrimage route to the Hindu shrine of Vaishno Devi in Jammu, claiming the lives of 41 people.
The India Meteorological Department has reported that the rainfall in certain areas of the region has shattered previous records.
In Jammu and Udhampur, 296 millimeters (11.6 inches) and 629.4 millimeters (24.8 inches) of rain were recorded respectively, marking significant increases compared to past records.
Floods and landslides are a common occurrence during the June-September monsoon season in India.
However, experts argue that climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is exacerbating their frequency, severity, and impact.
The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development warns of the dangers posed when extreme rain combines with mountain slopes weakened by melting permafrost and unwise construction in flood-prone valleys.
In a separate incident on August 14, powerful torrents destroyed Chisoti village in Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in at least 65 deaths and leaving an additional 33 people missing.
On August 5, floods engulfed the Himalayan town of Dharali in India’s Uttarakhand state, burying it under mud.
The death toll from this disaster is believed to be over 70 but has not yet been confirmed.
The intense monsoon rainstorm that began on Tuesday has caused widespread chaos, with raging water damaging bridges and flooding homes.
According to local disaster officials, the Ramban and Reasi districts were particularly affected by heavy rainfall and landslides on Friday night, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals.
One child, aged five, remains missing after being trapped in debris.
On Wednesday, a landslide struck the pilgrimage route to the Hindu shrine of Vaishno Devi in Jammu, claiming the lives of 41 people.
The India Meteorological Department has reported that the rainfall in certain areas of the region has shattered previous records.
In Jammu and Udhampur, 296 millimeters (11.6 inches) and 629.4 millimeters (24.8 inches) of rain were recorded respectively, marking significant increases compared to past records.
Floods and landslides are a common occurrence during the June-September monsoon season in India.
However, experts argue that climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is exacerbating their frequency, severity, and impact.
The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development warns of the dangers posed when extreme rain combines with mountain slopes weakened by melting permafrost and unwise construction in flood-prone valleys.
In a separate incident on August 14, powerful torrents destroyed Chisoti village in Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in at least 65 deaths and leaving an additional 33 people missing.
On August 5, floods engulfed the Himalayan town of Dharali in India’s Uttarakhand state, burying it under mud.
The death toll from this disaster is believed to be over 70 but has not yet been confirmed.
