Heavy monsoon rains continue to batter Uttarakhand, triggering massive floods and landslides that have devastated both human and wildlife populations. In a viral video shared widely on social media, a leopard can be seen struggling before being swept away by raging floodwaters in the Chamoli district.
Local residents say the tragic incident highlights the dangers posed not only to people but also to animals in the Himalayan region. Authorities have confirmed at least 27 human deaths so far, while several villages remain cut off due to collapsed roads and overflowing rivers. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are conducting evacuation operations, but the relentless rainfall is making relief work extremely difficult.
Environmentalists warn that widespread deforestation and unchecked construction in fragile mountain areas have amplified the severity of the floods. Calls are growing for stronger regulations to prevent further ecological damage in the region.