Monsoon mayhem across India
Since the onset of the monsoon in June, nearly 150 people have lost their lives in various rain-related incidents across India. The situation has been particularly dire in states like Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Kerala.- Gujarat: The state has reported 65 deaths due to heavy rainfall, the highest so far this season. Many of these lives were lost due to widespread flooding, landslides and other rain-related incidents.
- Himachal Pradesh: With 56 fatalities, the state has faced severe flooding and landslides, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and necessitating massive
rescue operations . - Delhi: The capital experienced its heaviest June rainfall in 88 years, resulting in six deaths and significant disruptions, including the closure of a terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
- Maharashtra: Recent heavy rains have claimed six lives and injured 12 after triggering a landslide that trapped many in Lavasa. The downpours also inundated many houses in low-lying parts of the state.
- Kerala: Landslides triggered by incessant rains around 2 AM on Tuesday trapped hundreds and resulted in 54 deaths so far, with rescue operations ongoing. The landslides have hit many areas, including Mundakkai, Attamal, Chooralmala and Kunhone.
The Indian government, along with state authorities, has been actively engaged in rescue and relief operations. In Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced financial aid for affected families and coordinated with the National Disaster Response Force and other agencies for evacuation and relief efforts. In Delhi, the government, assisted by the army, managed rescue operations and worked to restore essential services disrupted by the flooding of the
Climate change and increased vulnerability
Forecasters and scientists have been warning that such events are only set to turn more frequent and deadly in the coming years, thanks to climate change. Rising temperatures have the ability to lead to more intense monsoon rains, increasing the likelihood of According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon season in 2023 saw around 170
Increased budget for disaster management
However, there is good news in the fact that the Government is taking notice. In response to the increasing frequency of suchAs per the Ministry of Finance, through the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme and other sources, government will provide financial support for projects with estimated cost of Rs 11,500 crore such as the Kosi-Mechi intra-state link and 20 other ongoing and new schemes including barrages, river pollution abatement and irrigation projects.
With the monsoon season still in progress, the government and disaster management agencies remain on high alert. Continuous efforts are being made to improve infrastructure resilience and enhance early warning systems to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters. However, the ongoing challenges posed by climate change necessitate sustained and comprehensive strategies to protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure.