India rain death toll rises to 74; waterlogging in Dehradun’s Kaluwala

The death toll in India's Himachal Pradesh rain-related incidents has jumped to 74 amid reports of fresh flash floods and landslides. Among those who died, 21 were killed due to major landslides at Shiva temple in Summer Hill, Fagli, and Krishnanagar. Eight people are still feared buried under the temple debris.

In Uttarakhand, the water level of the Pranmati river in Chamoli district saw a sharp increase following incessant rainfall in the state. Authorities have alerted the locals in the area to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents, officials said on Friday.

On Thursday, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited flood and severe rain-affected areas in Mandi district — Matehdi, Baldwara, Maseran and Jukain of Sarkaghat assembly.

Top rainfall updates from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand:

In Uttarakhand's Rishikesh, the supportive wire on the Ram Jhula Bridge broke due to flooding over the Ganga river, forcing the authorities to stop the movement of two-wheelers. "The Pauri Police administration has banned the movement of people and two-wheelers after the bridge of the famous Ram Jhula Bridge broke down in the pilgrimage city of Rishikesh due to the spate of river Ganga," an official said.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in Uttarakhand said on Thursday night that as excessive water filled houses in Kaluwala after heavy rainfall in Dehradun. The SDRF said it was constantly trying to help the affected people.

In Himachal Pradesh, the rescue and search operation was underway on Friday in landslide-affected areas in Shimla. In Summer Hill Area, Disaster Response Forces were seen carrying out the operation.

Sukhu said on Thursday some amount of relief funds from the central government were still pending. He said, "The Union government's first instalment of interim relief was still pending. Out of the relief amount of Rs. 315 crore, which was pending for the last few years with the union government due to some audit objections, a sum of Rs.189 crore has been released whereas under the SDRF, a total of ₹360 crore is released to the State. The central government released the first instalment of ₹180 crore in June and the second instalment of ₹180 crore in advance, which was to be received in December. Thus the amount of ₹360 crore, received so far, was our righteous share, which otherwise is given to all the States. No separate financial assistance has been released so far."

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday said that light to very heavy rainfall was likely to occur over Uttarakhand on Friday as well as between August 21 and 23.

Himachal IMD scientist Surender Paul said, "Monsoon is on the higher side this time...If we see the data, there is 43% excess rainfall since June 1 in Himachal Pradesh. Scattered rainfall will occur in the next 4-5 days. There will be controlled rainfall in the state till August 25."

Meanwhile, a road between Maithana and Pursadi on Shri Badrinath National Highway in Uttarakhand washed away on Thursday evening.