Himachal cloudbursts: Five dead, 50 missing, road to Manali damaged

The cloudbursts were reported in Malana, Sainj and Nirmand areas of Kullu, Rampur in state capital Shimla, and Padhar in Mandi district.

A cloudburst at Rajban village in Padhar subdivision of Mandi late Wednesday left three persons, including two women, dead. Officials said seven persons were missing even as two houses were washed away. The bodies of Baijru Ram (80), Chandi Devi (75) and Chaitri Devi (90) were recovered by rescue workers.

A cloudburst near Shrikhand Mahadev in Rampur sub-division of Shimla triggered flash floods, leaving two persons dead and at least 36 missing, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said. The cloudburst led to a rise in water level in Samej Khud, a rivulet that divides Shimla and Kullu districts. Officials said the ongoing Srikhand Mahadev Yatra has been put on hold.

The cloudburst occurred in a rivulet called Samej Khad, which borders Kullu and Shimla districts. (Express Photo)

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said teams from the NDRF, ITBP, State Disaster Response Force, police and home guards were carrying out rescue and relief operations. Drones were pressed into service to trace those missing, he said, adding that four persons have been rescued so far.

Those missing in Rampur include 17 women and 19 men. Four migrant labourers, seven employees of Grico project, 14 people from Samej village and eight from Kandrahad are among those missing. A hydro-electric project situated near Samej Khad was also partially damaged.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh said that seven persons were missing in Bhagipul area of Nirmand block, where flood waters washed away nine houses.

Another cloudburst caused damage in the high mountains of Shrikhand Mahadev in Kullu district.

CISF personnel and Home Guards have been deputed for search and rescue operations, she said. “We have rescued more than two dozen people from various locations including Manikaran, Mallana, enroute Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra. Many bridges were washed away and damaged in the cloudburst,” she said.

#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, “Cloudburst occurred in Mandi, Shimla and Kullu districts today. Around 50 people are missing, 2 bodies have been recovered. NDRF, SDRF, DCs and officials are present at the spot. We have instructed the officials to make… pic.twitter.com/Falruw8cRC

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024

She said a breach was reported in Malana Dam and some people were stuck in the Malana I hydropower project. All of them were safe and efforts were being made to rescue them, she said, adding that all educational institutions in the district have been closed for two days.

The authorities opened the floodgates of Pandoh dam, resulting in a rise in the water level in river Beas. The gushing waters washed away portions of the Manali-Chandigarh highway.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and assured him of all help from the Centre.

Sukhu, who chaired an emergency meeting, termed the damage in the three districts as “massive”. Directing the district administrations to provide immediate relief to the affected families, and construct Bailey bridges in areas that have been cut off, the Chief Minister said state emergency operation centres have been set up at 13 places for disaster monitoring. He said five transport drones and 50 generators will be given to the police personnel deployed in rescue and relief operations.

Stating that the IMD has predicted more rain for the state in the next 36 hours, he urged people to take precautionary measures and avoid going near rivulets and rivers.

Sukhu, who also spoke to Union Minister J P Nadda over the phone, said he will seek support from Army and Air Force.

Nadda, in a post on X, said he sought details from the Chief Minister. He also appealed to BJP leaders and workers to reach out to the affected people and provide them relief.

Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also condoled the loss of lives in the cloudburst incidents and asked party workers to extend help to those affected.

State Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said road connectivity has been hampered in the affected areas. Four motorable bridges and footbridges have been washed away and rescue operations are going on in full swing, he said, adding the apple crop has also been damaged.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the rain and flash flood resulted in an additional loss of around Rs 44 crore and affected 352 water supply schemes of the state Jal Shakti department.