Camilla Jessen
Meteorologists warn of more heavy rain in the days ahead.
Northern India is facing deadly consequences from the annual monsoon season, with floods and landslides killing at least 69 people in the past two weeks, authorities confirmed on Friday.
As reported by Digi24, the toll includes 110 injured, mainly in the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh, where river levels have surged due to intense rainfall.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued fresh warnings, forecasting “heavy to very heavy rains” over the next five days in Himachal Pradesh and neighboring Uttarakhand, both popular tourist destinations.
Climate Change Amplifies Seasonal Dangers
Flooding and landslides are common during South Asia’s June-to-September monsoon season, but experts say climate change is intensifying both their frequency and severity.
The season is crucial for farming across the region, delivering up to 80% of annual rainfall for countries with a combined population of nearly 2 billion.
In addition to Himachal Pradesh, fatal flooding has also been reported recently in the northwestern state of Gujarat and in parts of northeast India.
Local officials continue to monitor river levels and infrastructure damage as rainfall continues.
