Monsoon floods and landslides kill 25 in northern and northeastern India
Torrential rains have triggered widespread devastation, with the highest casualty counts recorded in Indian-administered Kashmir and Nagaland, while the India Meteorological Department warns of continued extreme weather.
At least 25 people have been killed across northern and northeastern India following days of torrential monsoon rains that triggered severe flooding and landslides, local officials reported on Monday. The disaster has prompted extensive rescue operations and the temporary suspension of major religious pilgrimages as authorities assess the extent of the damage across multiple states.
The highest number of fatalities occurred in Indian-administered Kashmir, where rain-related incidents in the Poonch, Rajouri, and Doda districts claimed at least 15 lives, with several others reported missing. In the neighbouring state of Jammu, a flash flood in Rajouri caused extensive damage to public and private property. A statement from the office of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed the disruption to countless lives, noting that army personnel and state emergency responders had rescued 11 people, including five children, from the floodwaters.
In the northeastern state of Nagaland, persistent rains triggered multiple landslides that killed nine people. Wennyei Konyak, the magistrate of Nagaland’s Mon district, told the AFP news agency that four of eight recovered bodies had been identified, with rescue work ongoing. The magistrate also confirmed that at least 15 other people had been injured in the incidents.
Further east, the state disaster management body reported one death in Assam on Sunday, where more than 57,000 people across seven districts have been affected by the flooding. The varying impact across these regions highlights the widespread nature of the monsoon’s disruption, which has strained local emergency services and infrastructure.
In response to the deteriorating conditions, authorities have announced the temporary suspension of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, which attracted more than 400,000 Hindus last year, as well as the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Jammu. Officials cited safety concerns, stating that routes would remain closed until they are declared safe for devotees.
The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for the potential of more extremely heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days. Active monsoon conditions are expected to persist across the region for up to a week, raising concerns about further landslides and flooding in vulnerable areas.
Floods and related accidents are an annual occurrence across India during the monsoon months, which follow the region’s long summers. This seasonal pattern often presents a stark contrast to the severe water scarcity and drought faced by many parts of the country during the dry season, underscoring the challenges of water management and disaster preparedness in the region.
