Torrential monsoon rains have unleashed widespread devastation across India, leaving hundreds dead, as rescue teams battle against time and weather to save lives
It is the same old story. Every year monsoon is awaited eagerly as a lot depends upon it — water to irrigate fields, replenish drinking water supply, relief from summer heat and recharging the water table — but when it arrives it also brings with it misery and hardships — the downpour cause floods which in turn cause loss of life and property, dislocation of people and disease. As the climate-change is getting more and more pronounced, monsoon is getting erratic, unpredictable and more deadly. This year it has been rather harsh. Torrential rains, floods, and cloudbursts have left hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and several states reeling under nature’s fury.
Himachal Pradesh has been the worst hit, with over 260 people losing their lives as landslides and flash floods ravaged towns and villages, particularly in Mandi and Kullu. Roads, bridges, and homes have been swept away, and large parts of the state remain cut off, forcing rescue teams to navigate dangerous terrain to reach survivors.
In the national capital, the Yamuna River has crossed the danger mark, flooding low-lying colonies and pushing families into makeshift shelters as authorities scramble to control the rising waters.
In Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, cloudbursts have triggered flash floods that have killed at least 42 people, while nearly 200 remain missing, feared trapped or washed away. Maharashtra too has witnessed widespread devastation, with a cloudburst in Nanded unleashing flash floods that destroyed homes and left many injured.
Meteorologist warn that the worst may not be over yet, as heavy rainfall is likely to continue in the coming days across northern and central India. Rivers in the Ganga and Yamuna basins are swelling dangerously, while the hilly states remain highly vulnerable to further landslides and cloudbursts. For residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas, evacuation has become a matter of survival, and authorities are urging people to stay alert to weather warnings.The government, both at the Centre and in the states, has mounted a large-scale response, deploying Army columns and NDRF teams. Food packets, temporary shelters, and medical camps have been arranged, while compensation has been announced for families of the victims. The most unfortunate part is that monsoon fury is not a rare occurance but a recurring phenomenon, yet we as a nation have done little to tackle it. True, curbing it completely may not be possible yet reducing its impact is entirely possible. The scale of destruction over the years has highlighted the need for stronger disaster preparedness.
While extreme weather events are part of the subcontinent’s natural cycle, their increasing frequency and intensity highlight the urgency of climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable urban planning, and community-level preparedness. The monsoon may be nature’s gift, but it comes with a strong reminder of nature’s sheer power — and the need for us to adapt wisely.
