The monsoon in India does not decrease in intensity. On Monday, local officials reassessed the total death toll to at least 29 in the north of the country, linked to landslides and floods. Authorities are waiting for the rain to stop before sending helicopters to rescue 300 stranded people, including tourists, in the regions of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu.
But the Indian Meteorological Service predicts more rain in large parts of the north of the country in the coming days. “Over the past two days, the death toll from monsoon rains has risen to 20 in Himachal Pradesh,” said Omkar Sharma, head of disaster management in the state administration which is the most affected area.
The monsoon more violent with climate change
Nine more deaths have been reported in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand and Kashmir, raising the death toll since Saturday from 15 to at least 29. Torrential rains washed away vehicles, demolished buildings and destroyed bridges in the worst affected state of Himachal Pradesh, according to Indian television footage.
The monsoon is also intense in New Delhi: schools in the capital were closed on Monday after record rains. The capital, with many flooded streets, is on high alert, with the Yamuna River approaching flood levels. According to scientists, climate change is making monsoon rains heavier and more erratic.