India
The Category 4 cyclone is the first substantial storm of the season and will make landfall Tuesday in India's Gujarat state. (Photo: Reuters / Jayanta Shaw)

Severe Weather Fallout Persistent heavy rainfall in northern India has triggered devastating floods and landslides. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are the hardest hit, with at least 49 confirmed deaths and dozens reported missing.

As reported by The Guardian on August 14, the continuous downpour in northern India led to widespread damage including flooding, landslides, and considerable destruction to bridges and buildings in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Official figures from Himachal Pradesh revealed that as of the local time on the 14th, 41 people had died in the past 24 hours, and at least 13 others were unaccounted for. The state has currently shut down 700 roads and all schools were temporarily closed on the 14th. Since the 11th, Uttarakhand has also reported at least eight fatalities. Local government efforts are ongoing to clear debris and rescue potential trapped individuals.

 

Monsoon and Secondary Disasters

Bloomberg reported that it's currently India's monsoon season, a time when heavy rainfall is typical. Secondary disasters such as flash floods, mudslides, and landslides are also common. However, experts suggest that the climate crisis is increasing the frequency and severity of these events. Due to the effects of climate change, precipitation in India is becoming more erratic, amplifying the likelihood of both floods and droughts simultaneously.

While the torrential rains pose a direct threat to human lives, they also adversely affect India's food production. Analysts have pointed out that since the beginning of 2022, the unpredictable weather patterns have continually reduced India's grain yield. This has prompted the Indian government to impose restrictions on exports of wheat, rice, and sugar to curb soaring domestic food prices. As a result, Asian rice prices have surged to a near 15-year high.

According to predictions from the India Meteorological Department, both Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are at risk for moderate flash floods, and the heavy rainfall may persist. Starting from the 14th, parts of eastern and central India are also expected to experience an increase in rainfall.