Fatalities Reported in Himalayan Landslides

At least 10 people have died due to landslides in the Himalayan region, with 2,400 tourists stranded in northeastern India. According to local authorities, the fatalities occurred as a result of floods and landslides in the Himalayan areas of India and Nepal, triggered by heavy rainfall on Thursday.

Six people lost their lives in Sikkim, India, while an additional four died in neighboring Nepal’s Kosi province due to the landslides. "The rain has not stopped for 36 hours straight; we have found the bodies of the deceased and returned them to their families," said Ham Kumar Chetri, the district judge in Sikkim in an interview with CNN.

Chetri noted that at least 45 homes, roads, bridges, and infrastructure have been significantly damaged by the heavy rains. The northeastern state of Sikkim, situated on the border with Bhutan and Nepal, is known for its scenic Himalayan landscapes, featuring 28 mountain peaks, 21 glaciers, and over 200 lakes. However, like any mountainous area, it is susceptible to deadly, sudden floods and landslides.

Last year, dozens of people died when a glacial lake burst due to heavy rains in the state, and scientists have warned that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to the growing anthropogenic climate crisis.

Chetri reported that around 2,400 tourists have been left stranded at various tourist sites in the state after landslides blocked roads and heavy rains damaged some bridges. While the north grapples with torrential rain, India has experienced an exceptionally long summer; last month, parts of the capital, Delhi reached the highest temperature ever recorded in the country at 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The rising temperatures in the country could also undermine progress in combating poverty, health issues, and economic growth.