India: Heavy rain triggers deadly landslides in Himalayas

At least 50 people have died after torrential rains in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh caused flooding and landslides, officials told Indian media on Monday.

Indian news agency Asian News International (ANI) quoted Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as saying "over 50 people" lost their lives in the past 24 hours.

"Over 20 people are still trapped, the death toll can also increase. Search and rescue operation is underway. We have taken the decision not to organize any cultural program on the occasion of Independence Day," he added. India celebrates Independence Day on Tuesday.

The Himachal Pradesh deaths included nine who died after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide in Shimla, the state's capital city, that swept away a temple. 

The affected areas witnessed incessant rains for about 55 hours that wreaked havoc in several districts in hilly Himachal Pradesh.

Several parts of the state had received as much as 273 mm (10.75 inches) of rain in 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Rescue operations underway

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the landslide-affected area in Shimla. He urged people to stay inside their homes and to avoid areas prone to landslides.

In a video tweeted by the minister, Sukhu offered condolences and said that relief workers and local administration are clearing the debris and searching for survivors trapped under it.

Police officials told Press Trust of India (PTI) that some 15 to 20 people are feared to be trapped under the rubble in Shimla city.

In Solan district, six people were rescued but three have been missing, officials said, according to broadcaster NDTV.

The administration has issued orders to close schools and colleges and more than 700 roads in the region.

More rain expected in Himachal Pradesh

The IMD on Sunday issued red alerts for heavy rainfall in several districts of Himachal Pradesh and another hilly Indian state Uttarakhand.

According to the meteorological department, new western disturbances are to be blamed for the heavy rainfall.

As per IMD's forecast, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places in the district of Chamba, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Kullu, and Sirmaur.

The state experiences disaster every monsoon season. This year, it has reported a loss of 257 lives and damage to property amounting to billions of dollars.

Experts say extreme weather has become more frequent in recent years as global warming contributes to the melting of glaciers in the Himalayan state.

jsi, mfa/rt (AP, AFP, Reuters)