Monsoon Devastation: Record-Breaking Rain in Delhi, Cloudbursts in Himachal and Uttarakhand

Reports of rain-related devastation are pouring in from several cities across India. Large parts of the country are being lashed by monsoon fury. Delhi witnessed record-breaking rainfall yesterday (July 31), and more heavy rain is forecasted for today. In Himachal Pradesh, cloudbursts near Kullu and Shimla districts have left around 44 people missing and resulted in 9 deaths. Similar incidents occurred in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, and Wayanad, Kerala, indicating widespread monsoon havoc from plains to hills. In Himachal Pradesh, cloudbursts have caused significant destruction in Kullu and Mandi districts. Several people are missing after a cloudburst hit a power plant project site in Samaged, Rampur, Kullu. Over 20 houses were destroyed, many vehicles were swept away, and a local school was washed away in the flood. In Mandi, one body has been recovered following a cloudburst, while several others remain missing. The district administration has alerted the Air Force for rescue operations, and local authorities are actively engaged in relief efforts. In Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, a cloudburst on the Ghansali Kedarnath motor road near Jakhaniali buried two people alive in debris, and another person is missing. Following the disaster in Jakhaniali village late last night, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke with local representative Deepak Shreeyal to assess the situation. The CM assured that he is in contact with all officials and issuing necessary directives. The Jakhaniali disaster has so far claimed the lives of three members of a single family, with one monk still reported missing.