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India

India: Flood 2023 DREF Operation no. MDRIN028

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What happened, where and when?

In the third and fourth weeks of August, specifically around 19 August 2023, while the government was in the midst of its restoration and relief efforts, several cloudbursts occurred in the region. These cloudbursts resulted in the dumping of large volumes of water in a short period, leading up to the floods. These cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides that swept away homes and infrastructure, resulting in a significant loss of life. The floods and landslides caused extensive damage to infrastructure and property, including roads, bridges, and houses. Additionally, crops were damaged, and reports of livestock losses emerged.

The recent rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which began in mid-August, are a continuation of the earlier monsoon that occurred in June 2023. This earlier monsoon was also characterized by heavy rains, leading to widespread flooding and landslides in both hill states.

The recent rains exacerbated the damage caused by the earlier monsoon, resulting in further flooding and landslides that claimed more lives and displaced thousands more people. These rains also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, houses, and agricultural crops and livestock.

The impact of the recent rains has been particularly severe in the Kedarnath valley in Uttarakhand and the Kullu Manali districts of Himachal Pradesh. These areas were among the hardest hit by the earlier monsoon, and the recent rains have only worsened the situation, with widespread flooding and multiple landslides.

Furthermore, the recent rains have severely affected the tourism industry in both hill states. Many tourists found themselves stranded due to the flooding and landslides, and numerous hotels and resorts suffered damage. As a result, the tourism industry is expected to face significant losses in the coming months.

In Himachal Pradesh, the worst-hit areas include Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba. The rains caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, houses, and agricultural areas. The state government declared a state of emergency and initiated rescue and relief operations.

The monsoon season commenced in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 20 June 2023. While the rains were initially light, they intensified in the second week of July, leading to several days of heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving more than 200 mm of rain in a single day. These heavy rains resulted in widespread flooding, landslides, and significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines. Thousands of people were displaced, and media reports indicated that over 227 people lost their lives in the floods and landslides.

The combination of the monsoon surge and moisture from the Mediterranean Sea brought by the western disturbance contributed to the widespread flooding and landslides. Climate change also played a role, as rising temperatures increased the atmosphere's moisture-holding capacity, leading to more intense rainfall events.

The recent floods have severely impacted healthcare facilities in Himachal Pradesh. Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, and many have been injured or killed. However, the government has been addressing the healthcare needs of the affected population.

To support the relief efforts, the government has deployed teams of rescue workers and experts. These teams are working to assess the damage and develop plans for the region's long-term recovery. The monsoon rains have had a significant and lasting impact on Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Due to the slow onset, prolonged nature, and drastic consequences of the floods, the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) requested IFRC-DREF support on 24 August. The rains have caused extensive damage and loss of life in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, over 227 people have lost their lives, with 38 still missing, while in Uttarakhand, more than 50 people have died, and 13 are still missing. The rains have also destroyed bridges, roads, houses, and crops in various districts, including Bilaspur, Mandi, Solan, Una, Shimla, Hamirpur, Kangra, Bageshwar, Garhwal, Kashipur, and Chamoli. These rains compounded the impact on the communities, exacerbating the damage caused by the first wave. This situation prompted the IRCS to plan its response activities based on a rapid needs assessment.

Both the government and the Red Cross have been working tirelessly to provide relief to those affected by the rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. They have provided food, water, shelter, and medical care to thousands of people. However, the situation remains dire, and continued support is needed.