Monsoon Rains Cause Havoc in Northern India
Northern India is facing severe flooding and landslides due to relentless monsoon rains. Over 90 lives have been lost, and hundreds of thousands have been forced out of their homes in just a few weeks.
The Himalayan regions, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, are seeing the worst effects. New Delhi, the capital, is experiencing rising water levels in the Yamuna River, which has now surpassed danger levels.
In Punjab, a vital agricultural area, many farmers report losing their crops and livestock. Surinder Singh, a farmer from Kapurthala, shared his struggles, stating that his land has been underwater since August 11. “We’ve lost crops worth over 700,000 rupees ($8,400),” he said. He mentioned that little help has come from the government despite their visits.
Experts link the unpredictable nature of this year’s monsoon to climate change. They warn that these extreme weather patterns will become more frequent. The South Asian region is especially vulnerable, making it critical for governments to prepare for these weather-related disasters.
Looking at neighboring Pakistan, more than 1 million people have evacuated from flood-prone areas, with roughly 2.45 million facing monsoon flooding recently.
Traffic in New Delhi was paralyzed this week due to flooding, and residents are being evacuated from areas near the river. Rekha Chaturvedi, a resident, noted, “We’ve moved to tents. Our home is underwater, just like in previous floods.”
The Himalayas have also faced destruction. This August, a village in Uttarakhand was hit by landslides and floods, leading to deaths and many missing.
Fayaz Ahmad, a 70-year-old farmer near Srinagar, said this is not the first time his fields have been flooded this month. “We’ve seen extreme heat and now constant flooding. This isn’t like it was when I was young,” he shared.
Experts attribute the increased rainfall intensity to human-caused climate change. Anjal Prakash, a climate expert, explained that extreme weather is becoming the new norm. He highlighted the impact of urbanization and deforestation, stating, “Natural drainage systems are destroyed. Rivers are mismanaged.”
Meteorologist Akshay Deoras added that rainfall patterns have shifted dramatically. “When all the rain falls in just a few days, it creates problems. We’re witnessing that now,” he said.
Recent statistics reveal that in 2024, Asia faced the most disasters compared to any other region, totaling 167. The storms and floods resulted in losses exceeding $32 billion, according to a study by the University of Louvain.
Looking ahead, experts stress the need for better planning. Communities must prepare for disasters and relocate infrastructure as needed. As Deoras noted, “Right now, India lacks a clear vision for dealing with such extreme weather in the future.”
While the rains continue and recovery efforts unfold, it’s clear that Northern India must adapt to an increasingly volatile climate.
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Climate,environment,Rekha Chaturvedi,World news,Akshay Deoras
