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Rescue Efforts Ongoing as Landslides and Floods Batter Himalayan States
15 Aug
Summary
- Kedarnath Temple damaged in 2013 floods
- Roads to Badrinath and Kedarnath washed away in 2013
- Landslide sweeps away vehicles in Himachal Pradesh in 2017
- Cloudburst causes flooding in Uttarakhand in 2019
- Land subsidence crisis in Joshimath, Uttarakhand in 2022-2023
The Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have faced a relentless barrage of natural disasters over the past decade. In June 2013, heavy rains and floods caused severe damage in the holy town of Kedarnath, with the iconic Kedarnath Temple left partially submerged. The same year, most roads leading to the pilgrimage sites of Badrinath and Kedarnath were washed away by landslides.
In August 2017, a massive landslide in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district swept away several vehicles, including two buses, highlighting the ongoing threat of such events. Extreme weather continued to plague the region, with a cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district causing flooding in August 2019.
More recently, the town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand has been grappling with a land subsidence crisis, with large cracks appearing on buildings and roads. In January 2023, authorities were forced to demolish an unsafe hotel in the affected area.
As the region reels from the aftermath of these disasters, rescue and relief efforts remain ongoing. Residents and authorities continue to work tirelessly to rebuild infrastructure and support those impacted by the devastation. The Himalayan states' vulnerability to extreme weather events underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management and climate resilience strategies.
