Days of heavy rain destroyed bridges and buildings and swept away vehicles in the northern states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. During the rainy season, floods and landslides occur frequently and cause major damage, but their number is increasing with climate change, experts say.

In Himachal Pradesh, worst hit by the bad weather, at least 52 people have died since Sunday, said the state's prime minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He appealed to residents to stay at home and stay away from waterways. Schools remain closed.

Eleven victims died in the collapse of a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in Shimla, the local capital. “Rescue operations continue and we fear at least 10 people are trapped under the rubble.”said district disaster management committee chairman Aditya Negi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his full statement “sympathy” to the victims promised that local and national authorities “ will work together ». The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, also said so “injured due to loss of life in accidents related to heavy rain”.

Significant damage

In the worst affected areas, major roads and power lines were badly damaged, affecting thousands of people. The railway network also suffered serious damage.

In Uttarakhand state, rescue teams are trying to save people buried by landslides. Near the banks of the Ganges, in the tourist pilgrimage town of Rishikesh, five people were trapped.

In total, at least 13 people have died since Friday August 11 due to severe weather in the state, according to authorities. In July, several days of monsoon rains killed at least 90 people in India, while the Yamuna, the river that flows through the capital, New Delhi, experienced its highest levels since 1978.

Monsoon rain alone accounts for about 80% of annual rainfall in South Asia. These rivers are essential for improving the quality of water flows, for groundwater recharge and for agriculture. However, this disaster also caused deadly and destructive floods and landslides.

This assessment tarnished the festive celebrations of India's independence which was proclaimed on August 15, 1947.