At least 56 people have died in floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, while neighbouring Nepal has reported 12 deaths as torrential rains continue to cause disruption across the region.
Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod said the state recorded 66.5 millimetres of rain between Friday and Sunday morning, significantly above the normal 7.6 millimetres expected during the period.
The heavy rains have also injured 46 people and damaged more than 1,000 homes, according to the commissioner’s office.
Authorities attributed the unusually intense rainfall to a depression that moved inland from the Bay of Bengal, bringing heavy downpours across large parts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with more than 240 million residents, regularly experiences heavy rain and thunderstorms during the annual monsoon season.
In the eastern state of Odisha, more than 70,000 people living in low-lying areas were evacuated after rivers rose following heavy rainfall, according to local media reports.
The downpours have damaged bridges and culverts, while authorities have closed Devkund, a popular tourist destination, amid the worsening conditions.
India’s Central Water Commission said 30 river-monitoring stations across seven states were facing severe conditions.
The Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati and Narmada rivers were among major waterways reported to have risen above danger levels.
The flooding has also affected neighbouring Nepal, where at least 12 people have been reported dead following heavy rains and landslides.
