At least 69 people have died and 31 others remain missing in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh state as torrential monsoon rains and multiple cloudbursts continue to batter the region, authorities said on Friday.
The Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operations Centre confirmed the fatalities, noting that 43 of the deaths were caused by natural disasters such as landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts, while 26 others died in road accidents related to the extreme weather.
In addition, at least 110 people have been injured since the onset of the monsoon, which typically runs from June to September across India and Pakistan.
Since mid-June, the state has experienced relentless rainfall, resulting in severe damage to infrastructure and triggering widespread panic in several districts.
A heavy rain alert has been issued across all districts of Himachal Pradesh through Monday, 7 July, as the risk of further flash floods and landslides remains high.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that relief and rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas. “We are doing everything possible to reach those stranded and provide immediate aid,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Authorities have warned residents in vulnerable zones to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel as weather conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days.