Heavy rains leave 28 people dead in India

By Ramon Monsalve, Jr.

August 19, 2019, 3:25 pm

<p><em>Photo by Anadolu Agency.</em></p>

Photo by Anadolu Agency.

NEW DELHI -- Heavy rains on Sunday lashed northern Indian states, leaving at least 28 people dead, local media reported.

According to figures released by Himachal Pradesh state, as many as 22 people were killed and 12 others sustained injuries in rain-related incidents.

Officials said teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been dispatched to the affected districts of the state.

“In view of heavy rains, blockages and damage caused to roads, it has become necessary to order closure of all the educational institutions in Shimla district on August 19,” Amit Kashyap, deputy commissioner of the district, told Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

According to NDTV, a local broadcaster, three people lost their lives while 22 others were reported missing in Uttarakhand state following a cloudburst.

The broadcaster reported three deaths in Punjab state while heavy rain remained unabated in the state and neighboring Haryana, triggering floods in some parts, prompting authorities to sound a high alert, the report said.

Meanwhile, a flood alert was issued for the capital New Delhi as the water level of the Yamuna River has reached very close to the danger mark, officials said. (Anadolu Agency)

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