Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have killed at least 30 people in India’s Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, officials and local media said Wednesday.

An intense monsoon rainstorm in the Indian-administered territory has caused widespread chaos with raging water smashing into bridges and swamping homes.

A landslide on the route to the famous Hindu shrine Vaishno Devi killed at least 30 people, a local disaster official told AFP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the loss of lives was “saddening”.

Floods and landslides are common during the June-September monsoon season, but experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing their frequency, severity and impact.

Climate experts from the Himalayan focused International Centre for Integr

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