2013 North India floods

The 2013 North India floods were a catastrophic natural disaster that predominantly affected the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in June 2013. Triggered by an unprecedented monsoon downpour, the floods led to severe landslides, rapid river erosion, and significant infrastructural damage. The Kedarnath region, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site, was particularly devastated, resulting in substantial loss of life and displacement of thousands of residents and pilgrims. Official estimates indicated that around 5,700 individuals went missing, with the death toll surpassing 500. The disaster also disrupted transportation, power, and communication networks, prompting large-scale rescue and relief operations by the Indian government and various NGOs. The tragedy highlighted the region's vulnerability to climatic extremes and underscored the urgent need for improved disaster management strategies.