Shimla: Around 53 persons are still missing after a cloudburst followed by flashfloods that led to massive destructions in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla regions. At least eight people have also lost their lives in the incident, the officials said. The cloudburst in the state occurred on the intervening night of July 31 and August 1.
Meanwhile, restoration works are underway in Rampur district where the cloudburst, followed by flashfloods damaged a road that linked Rampur and Samej regions. As per authorities, close to 60 houses were washed away and several villages were also affected by the floods.
Rescue operations continue
Speaking to ANI, Special Secretary DC Rana of the DDMA of DDMA said, “A cloudburst in the Samej area of Shimla district, Rampur region, Baghipul area of Kullu, and Paddar area of Mandi has led to widespread destruction. 53 people are missing and six bodies have been recovered.” As per officials, personnel of the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force, police, and home guards are still involved in rescue operations with the help of drones.
Sharing further details with news agency PTI earlier, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said that close to 300 people who were stranded near Shrikhand Mahadev in Kullu were safe and locals are taking care of 25 tourists at Malana. During his meeting with deputy commissioners, Saxena informed that while immediate relief has been provided to affected people, adequate resources have also been deployed in the affected areas. Three bodies were also recovered on Friday, raising the death toll to eight. State Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also visited the affected areas along with Education Minister Rohit Thakur visited Samej to take stock of the situation.