Flash floods devastate Indian Himalayan state

Flash floods unleashed by a sudden cloudburst in India’s Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday (September 16) swept away villages and marketplaces, leaving a trail of destruction.

Uttarakhand is prone to floods and landslides, which some experts blame on climate change.

Commutes were also disrupted as highways were submerged in water in northern Rishikesh. Rescue personnel were seen evacuating stranded locals.

A local resident in Dehradun city, Daulat Singh Bayal said at least several shops had disappeared.

"My shop was washed away. In this market, there were seven shops, not even one is left. Nothing is left."

Another resident, Kunal Anand also said that a lot of businesses have been destroyed. "Roads are washed away, so there is difficulty in commute…and villages have been affected…according to the information I received, four to five people have been buried under debris."

"There is a lot of damage a kilometre ahead, and several hotels and restaurants have been damaged and washed away," he added.

The incident comes weeks after surging floodwaters and a torrent of mud swept through the village in the northern Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, killing at least four people, leaving 50 others missing.

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