NEW DELHI: Torrential storms lashing India and Nepal have killed hundreds of people since June, official data showed on Tuesday (Aug 13), with flooding and landslides causing widespread devastation during the treacherous monsoon season.
The deaths include scores in India this month alone, and at least 171 overall in neighbouring Nepal.
Weather-related disasters are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity.
In India, just months after the country baked in its longest-ever heatwave, according to government weather experts, ferocious rainstorms have triggered widespread flooding and landslides.
The crushing heatwave in May and June saw temperatures in New Delhi match the capital’s previous record high: 49.2 degrees Celsius clocked in 2022.
Now the heat has been replaced by rain.
India’s weather department this week warned of “heavy rainfall” over much of the south and northeastern states.
On Tuesday, rescue teams searched for two missing people after nine drowned when a surge of water smashed through the Una district of Himachal Pradesh state.
“The search continues for the missing people,” district official Shikha Rana told AFP.
Witnesses saw a car being swept away like a toy by the swollen muddy river.
“Several people tried to stop the car … as the current was increasing but the car sped past and soon the car was swept away by the strong current,” Rajendra Kumar said.
