Northern India is grappling with severe weather conditions as continuous heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides have caused widespread disruption. A thick layer of dust has enveloped several areas, leading to the closure of a section of the national highway near Badrinath.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported an increase in rain due to successive cyclonic circulations and low-pressure troughs affecting the northern states. Monsoon activity is currently at its peak across the country, with no state remaining untouched by the downpours. While the rain has brought some respite from the heat, it has also disrupted daily life significantly. States from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to Gujarat are bearing the brunt of nature’s fury.
In Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, multiple landslides have been reported, causing substantial damage. A recent video of a landslide in the area has sent chills down viewers’ spines. On Wednesday, a massive landslide occurred near Pipalkoti and Joshimath, resembling a natural explosion. The entire road was swallowed up, and the area was shrouded in a cloud of dust. The landslide forced the closure of a section of the national highway near Badrinath, stranding numerous pilgrims.
Additionally, the Alaknanda River is flowing above the danger mark. Rivers in Uttarakhand, particularly near Vishnu Prayag in Joshimath, have swollen significantly. The Alaknanda River meets the Dhauliganga River at Vishnu Prayag, and this confluence has seen a dramatic rise in water levels, exhibiting nature’s fierce power.
The landslides in two locations in Chamoli have blocked the Badrinath Highway, leaving many travelers and locals stranded, according to news agency ANI.
Uttarakhand police reported that two tourists from Hyderabad died after being struck by falling rocks in Chamoli district following a landslide. Meanwhile, the Char Dham Yatra, which was temporarily halted due to the forecast of heavy rains, resumed on Monday after a one-day suspension.
As authorities work to clear the blocked roads and provide aid to the affected, the people of Northern India continue to endure the challenges posed by relentless monsoon rains and their devastating consequences.
