Attachments
Date when the trigger was met
2023-08-19
What happened, where and when?
Heavy downpours plagued Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in late August 2023. These intense bursts of rain, known as cloudbursts, unleashed massive amounts of water in a short period, triggering devastating floods. Flash floods and landslides ravaged the region, sweeping away homes and infrastructure and tragically leading to a significant loss of life. Roads, bridges, and houses sustained extensive damage from the floods and landslides, while crops were decimated, and reports emerged of lost livestock.
The rains that occurred in mid-August 2023 in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand were a continuation of the earlier monsoon that began in June 2023. That monsoon season was marked by heavy rains, resulting in widespread flooding and landslides across both states.
These persistent rains further compounded the damage caused by the earlier monsoon, triggering additional floods and landslides that claimed more lives and displaced thousands more people. Roads, bridges, houses, agricultural crops, and livestock all suffered extensive devastation.
The impact of these rains was especially severe in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath valley and Himachal Pradesh's Kullu Manali districts. These areas were already among the hardest hit by the earlier monsoon, and the recent rains only exacerbated the situation, leading to widespread flooding and numerous landslides.
Furthermore, the rains severely crippled the tourism industry in both states. Many tourists were stranded due to the flooding and landslides, and numerous hotels and resorts were damaged. As a result, the tourism industry was also affected.
In Himachal Pradesh, the areas most impacted included Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba. The rains caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, houses, and agricultural land. The state government declared a state of emergency and initiated rescue and relief operations.
The monsoon season began in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 20 June 2023. While the rains initially started light, they intensified in the second week of July 2023, leading to several days of heavy downpours. Some areas received over 200 mm of rain in a single day.
These heavy rains caused widespread flooding, landslides, and significant damage to infrastructure such as 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.
A combination of factors contributed to the widespread flooding and landslides. The surge of the monsoon rains, combined with the moisture influx from the Mediterranean Sea brought by a western disturbance, played a significant role. Climate change also likely played a part, as rising temperatures may have increased the atmosphere's capacity to hold moisture, leading to more intense rainfall events.
Moreover, the floods severely impacted healthcare facilities in Himachal Pradesh. Thousands of people were displaced from their homes, and many suffered injuries or death. However, the government has been working to address the healthcare needs of the affected population.
To support the relief efforts, the government deployed teams of rescue workers and experts. These teams worked to assess the damage and develop plans for the region's long-term recovery. The monsoon rains had a significant and lasting impact on Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
According to the authorities, the rains caused extensive damage and loss of life in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Over 200 people lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh, with 38 missing. In Uttarakhand, more than 50 people died, and 13 went missing. The rains also destroyed bridges, roads, houses, and crops in various districts. These additional rains worsened the situation for the communities, compounding the damage caused by the first wave.