India’s hockey team made a triumphant entry into the Olympic semifinals on Sunday, securing their place in the final four after a nail-biting quarterfinal victory against Great Britain. However, the joy of this sporting achievement was tempered by the widespread devastation caused by torrential rains across the country.
Heavy rains lashed parts of western and central India, prompting the Indian Meteorological Department to issue red alerts for several states. In Madhya Pradesh, two children tragically lost their lives when a house collapsed on them due to the incessant downpour. The search for 45 people missing since a series of cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh on July 31 continues, highlighting the devastating impact of the severe weather.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from low-lying areas in Maharashtra, while Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu remained submerged as the Cauvery River overflowed its banks. Flash floods and landslides triggered by cloudbursts and heavy rains resulted in the closure of 114 roads in Himachal Pradesh. The death toll from the Wayanad landslides in Kerala continued to rise as rescue operations entered their final stages. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reported that 206 people remain missing.
While India celebrated its Olympic success, the country also grappled with a wave of anger and outrage surrounding the gang-rape case in Ayodhya. The mother of the 12-year-old victim accused Samajwadi Party leaders of offering money to settle the case, further fueling public anger. A three-member delegation from the BJP met with the child and her family in Ayodhya, urging the state government to raise the compensation for the survivor’s kin from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders alleged that the prime accused, Moid Khan, is a member of the Samajwadi Party and part of the team of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad.
Adding to the nation’s woes, fresh violence erupted in Bangladesh, resulting in the deaths of at least 43 people and injuries to hundreds more. Protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intensified, leading to clashes with police. Security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, who numbered in the tens of thousands. The government declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting from 6 pm on Sunday, marking the first time such a measure has been taken during the ongoing protests, which began last month. An internet shutdown remains in place, and the government has also announced a three-day general holiday starting from Monday.
Amidst these challenging circumstances, India’s Olympic hopes continued to soar, but the nation grappled with the devastating consequences of natural disasters, political turmoil, and social injustice.
