Latest news with #GambhirSinghChauhan
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Over 68 missing a week after Himalayan flood disaster
Houses are partially buried by a mudslide, amid flash floods, in Dharali, Uttarakhand, India, August 5, 2025. Photo: Reuters Listen to article Indian officials say at least 68 people are unaccounted for a week after a deadly wall of icy water swept away a Himalayan town and buried it in mud. On top of four people reported to have been killed, it takes the likely overall toll of the August 5 disaster to more than 70 dead. Videos broadcast by survivors showed a terrifying surge of muddy water sweeping away multi-storey apartment blocks. Disaster officials said Tuesday that they were searching for corpses in the wreckage of the tourist town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state. Gambhir Singh Chauhan, from the National Disaster Response Force, said sniffer dogs had identified several sites indicating there was a body but when "when digging started, water came out from below". Chauhan said teams were also using ground penetrating radar in the grim search. More than 100 people were initially reported as missing. But with roads swept away and mobile phone communications damaged, it has taken rescuers days to cross-check the list. The local government now lists 68 people as missing, including 44 Indians and 22 Nepalis. Nine soldiers are on the list. Deadly floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency and severity. Climate change experts warned that the disaster was a "wake-up call" to the effects of global warming. No official cause of the flood has been given, but scientists have said it was likely that intense rains triggered a collapse of debris from a rapidly melting glacier. Himalayan glaciers, which provide critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters. The softening of permafrost increases the chances of landslides.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Toll of India Himalayan flood likely to be at least 70
Deadly floods and landslides are common during India's monsoon season. (Indian army/AFP pic) NEW DELHI : Indian officials say at least 68 people are unaccounted for a week after a deadly wall of icy water swept away a Himalayan town and buried it in mud. On top of four people reported to have been killed, it takes the likely overall toll of the Aug 5 disaster to more than 70 dead. Videos broadcast by survivors showed a terrifying surge of muddy water sweeping away multi-storey apartment blocks. Disaster officials said today that they were searching for corpses in the wreckage of the tourist town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state. Gambhir Singh Chauhan, from the national disaster response force, said sniffer dogs had identified several sites indicating there was a body but when 'when digging started, water came out from below'. Chauhan said teams were also using ground penetrating radar in the grim search. More than 100 people were initially reported as missing. But with roads swept away and mobile phone communications damaged, it has taken rescuers days to cross-check the list. The local government now lists 68 people as missing, including 44 Indians and 22 Nepalis. Nine soldiers are on the list. Deadly floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency and severity. Climate change experts warned that the disaster was a 'wake-up call' to the effects of global warming. No official cause of the flood has been given, but scientists have said it was likely that intense rains triggered a collapse of debris from a rapidly melting glacier. Himalayan glaciers, which provide critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters. The softening of permafrost increases the chances of landslides.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Toll of India Himalayan flood likely to be at least 70
Indian officials say at least 68 people are unaccounted for a week after a deadly wall of icy water swept away a Himalayan town and buried it in mud. On top of four people reported to have been killed, it takes the likely overall toll of the August 5 disaster to more than 70 dead. Videos broadcast by survivors showed a terrifying surge of muddy water sweeping away multi-storey apartment blocks. Disaster officials said on Tuesday that they were searching for corpses in the wreckage of the tourist town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state. Gambhir Singh Chauhan, from the National Disaster Response Force, said sniffer dogs had identified several sites indicating there was a body but when "when digging started, water came out from below". Chauhan said teams were also using ground penetrating radar in the grim search. More than 100 people were initially reported as missing. But with roads swept away and mobile phone communications damaged, it has taken rescuers days to cross-check the list. The local government now lists 68 people as missing, including 44 Indians and 22 Nepalis. Nine soldiers are on the list. Deadly floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency and severity. Climate change experts warned that the disaster was a "wake-up call" to the effects of global warming. No official cause of the flood has been given, but scientists have said it was likely that intense rains triggered a collapse of debris from a rapidly melting glacier. Himalayan glaciers, which provide critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters. The softening of permafrost increases the chances of landslides.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Toll of India Himalayan flood likely to be at least 70
Indian officials say at least 68 people are unaccounted for a week after a deadly wall of icy water swept away a Himalayan town and buried it in mud. On top of four people reported to have been killed, it takes the likely overall toll of the August 5 disaster to more than 70 dead. Videos broadcast by survivors showed a terrifying surge of muddy water sweeping away multi-storey apartment blocks. Disaster officials said Tuesday that they were searching for corpses in the wreckage of the tourist town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state. Gambhir Singh Chauhan, from the National Disaster Response Force, said sniffer dogs had identified several sites indicating there was a body but when "when digging started, water came out from below". Chauhan said teams were also using ground penetrating radar in the grim search. More than 100 people were initially reported as missing. But with roads swept away and mobile phone communications damaged, it has taken rescuers days to cross-check the list. The local government now lists 68 people as missing, including 44 Indians and 22 Nepalis. Nine soldiers are on the list. Deadly floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency and severity.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
India Himalayan flood death toll rises as search continues
NEW DELHI: Indian officials confirm at least 68 people remain missing a week after a devastating flood buried a Himalayan town in mud. The disaster on August 5 has likely claimed over 70 lives, including four confirmed fatalities. Survivors shared videos showing multi-storey buildings collapsing as a wall of icy water engulfed the tourist town of Dharali in Uttarakhand. Rescue teams are combing through wreckage with sniffer dogs and ground-penetrating radar to locate bodies. Gambhir Singh Chauhan from the National Disaster Response Force said waterlogged terrain has hampered recovery efforts. Initial reports listed over 100 missing, but damaged roads and communication networks delayed verification. Officials now confirm 68 missing, including 44 Indians, 22 Nepalis, and nine soldiers. Monsoon-related floods and landslides are frequent, but experts blame climate change and unchecked development for worsening impacts. Scientists suspect intense rainfall destabilised debris from a melting glacier, triggering the deadly surge. Himalayan glaciers, vital for two billion people, are retreating rapidly due to global warming. Permafrost thawing is also raising landslide risks across vulnerable mountain regions. Climate experts call the disaster a stark warning of escalating climate threats. No official cause has been declared, but glacier melt remains a key focus. - AFP
