Torrential rains continued to batter the Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, exacerbating months of devastation from landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts that have claimed hundreds of lives this monsoon season. In Himachal Pradesh, three family members perished in a landslide that collapsed their home in Mandi district's Bragta village, while flash floods submerged the main bus stand in Dharampur, sweeping away vehicles and damaging shops, a pump house, and a workshop.

Shimla recorded 141 mm of rain in 12 hours, the highest among affected areas, triggering landslides that buried vehicles near Himland and blocked the city's main circular road. The state has endured 46 cloudbursts, 97 flash floods, and 140 landslides this year, pushing the monsoon death toll to 412, including 232 from rain-related incidents and 180 from road accidents, with 41 still missing.

In Uttarakhand's Dehradun district, a cloudburst unleashed chaos in Sahastradhara (192 mm rain), Maldevta (141.5 mm), and other areas, washing away a bridge, inundating homes and commercial sites, and stranding hundreds. The swollen Tamsa River flooded the historic Tapkeshwar Temple, submerging its massive Hanuman statue up to the shoulders—a level unseen in 25-30 years, according to priest Bipin Joshi—though priests and early-morning devotees escaped unharmed.

The Song River's fury threatened a bridge in Maldevta, while five people were swept away in flash floods, and villagers in Majra reported missing persons after a landslide razed dwellings. Since June, Uttarakhand has seen 85 deaths, 128 injuries, and 94 missing from such disasters, compounded by erratic monsoons linked to climate change.

Swollen snow-fed rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna neared warning levels across both states, with the Tamsa brushing the danger mark and flooding low-lying zones. In Himachal, 650 roads—including three national highways—remain closed, alongside disruptions to 1,250 power transformers and 160 water schemes, amplifying losses estimated in crores from damaged infrastructure and goods. Uttarakhand's worst-hit spots, including Sahastradhara and Dalanwala, saw rapid inundation, with the Chandrabhaga River in Rishikesh flooding highways and trapping motorists rescued by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams. The India Meteorological Department warns of continued heavy showers, heightening risks of further landslides in vulnerable terrains.

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Rescue operations intensified, with SDRF evacuating 300-400 people, including 200 children, from Dehradun's Devbhoomi Institute amid waterlogging. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected flood-ravaged Maldevta and Kesarwala, briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured full central support. In Himachal, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri reported extensive transport losses as teams work to clear debris and restore access. Officials urge residents to avoid riverbanks and landslide-prone areas, with restoration efforts underway amid forecasts of prolonged monsoon fury.

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