Heavier than normal monsoon rains cause Ganges River flooding

Early monsoon rains that are at least twice as heavy as normally expected have led to serious flooding of the Ganges River. Homes have been washed away and left thousands of people displaced. Officials in the district of Uttarakhand have set up camps to provide food and water for tourists caught by the floods while visiting holy sites, and also for about 5000 pilgrims.

Tourists should be aware of flooding along the Ganges River and the potential to become stranded. Weather officials expect rains to ease up next week.