Heavy Rains Cause Devastation in Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh
In the past few days, heavy rains have caused multiple cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides in several states of India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kerala. Over 300 people have lost their lives in Kerala, 15 in Uttarakhand, and 47 people are missing in Himachal Pradesh.
Rahul Gandhi Thanks Rescuers
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his gratitude to the Army personnel, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administration, and volunteers for their continuous efforts in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. He specifically thanked the Kalpetta Range Forest Officers for their brave 8-hour operation to rescue a family in distress.
Kerala’s Wayanad District
The death toll from the landslides in Wayanad’s Chooralmala and Mundakkai stands at 308. Kerala Health Minister Veena George reported that 215 bodies and 143 body parts have been recovered, with 148 bodies identified by relatives so far.
Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Yatra Route
After 15 people lost their lives due to cloudbursts and landslides along the Kedarnath Yatra route, the Indian Air Force joined rescue operations. NDRF and SDRF personnel have rescued more than 1500 pilgrims and locals. The Animal Husbandry Department is sending animal feed via helicopters for mules and horses stranded in the valley.
Himachal Pradesh’s Rampur Region
In Himachal Pradesh, 191 roads, including 3 National Highways, are closed due to landslides and rain. The Indian Army has launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the Samej village. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged tourists to avoid risky areas for their safety.
Doubts Revealed
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a leader from the Congress party, which is one of the major political parties in India. He is known for his work in politics and is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Rescuers -: Rescuers are people who help save others from dangerous situations, like floods or landslides. They can be firefighters, police officers, or volunteers.
Heavy Rains -: Heavy rains mean a lot of rain falling in a short period. This can cause problems like floods and landslides.
Landslides -: Landslides happen when a lot of earth, rocks, and debris slide down a hill or mountain. They can be very dangerous and destroy homes and roads.
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful backwaters and greenery.
Uttarakhand -: Uttarakhand is a state in the northern part of India. It is famous for its mountains and pilgrimage sites like Kedarnath.
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in the northern part of India, known for its scenic mountains and hill stations.
Cloudbursts -: A cloudburst is a sudden, very heavy rainfall that can cause floods. It usually happens in a small area and lasts for a short time.
Flash Floods -: Flash floods are sudden and intense floods that happen quickly, usually due to heavy rain. They can be very dangerous and cause a lot of damage.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in Kerala, known for its hills and wildlife. It is also the constituency of Rahul Gandhi.
Kedarnath Yatra -: Kedarnath Yatra is a pilgrimage to the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand. Many people visit this temple every year to pray.
Road Closures -: Road closures mean that roads are blocked and cannot be used. This can happen due to landslides or floods.
Disrupted Services -: Disrupted services mean that things like electricity, water, and transportation are not working properly. This can happen during natural disasters.
