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A year on but memories refuse to die for people in Samej hit by cloudbursts

In Aug 2024, 35 people, including 14 children, lost their lives during a series of cloudbursts that struck Samej

Last year in the early hours of August 1, 35 people, including 14 children, lost their lives during a series of cloudbursts that struck Samej, a small hamlet located on the border of Kullu and Shimla districts and nestled on the banks of the seasonal rivulet of the same name — Samej. (File Photo: PTI)

It’s been 365 days but for the people of Samej, the wounds are still fresh and the memories refuse to die.

Last year in the early hours of August 1, 35 people, including 14 children, lost their lives during a series of cloudbursts that struck Samej, a small hamlet located on the border of Kullu and Shimla districts and nestled on the banks of the seasonal rivulet of the same name — Samej.

Although the building of Government Senior Secondary School —which lost its eight students in the tragedy — has been partially repaired, classes have been shifted to an uphill building belonging to the Newkunder Mahila Mandal for the monsoon season.

Of the eight students who died, five were star athletes. They included Ritika Kedarta (17), Radhika Kedarta (15), Arushi Kedarta (12), and Arun Kedarta (13). Ritika, Radhika, and Arushi were state-level volleyball players, while Arun and another student, Priyanka, were district-level badminton players.

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School’s Physical Training Instructor (PTI) Ravi Motiyan said that earlier the school playground was in the lower portion of the building which was completely destroyed. “The school has been producing many athelets but now we don’t even have a good playground. We have been pursuing the PWD and Revenue department to allot land for a playground. Although we made a badminton court, the surface is kucha and remains mostly damaged. There are a few good Under-19 shuttlers. For them, we prepared a badminton court in the school ground but this is not of that level where we can offer practice to the students throughout the year. About 32 students of the 68 are interested in sports. Two dozen students in the Under-14 and Under-19 categories have played for the district and state,” he said, adding that they also need space for co-curricular activities such as NCC.

Principal Kamal Nand Thakur said that this year, they didn’t want to take any chances and shifted the classrooms to a nearby uphill Mahila Mandal building at the onset of the monsoon. “We will return to the old building only when it’s completely safe. We have about 68 students from Classes 6 to 12, and 25 students in the primary section. The school is at present closed for summer vacations till August 12.” he said, adding that the upper portion of the school building has been fully repaired, but the lower portion—housing the administrative block and primary section—is yet to be restored.

Muck and mud that flooded the lower part during the disaster are still there. “Repair work is ongoing. Once the building is completely restored, we plan to install a signboard in the lower portion bearing the names of our eight students who died in the tragedy.” Kamal Nand said, adding, that the school is resuming its routine activities gradually.

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Nineteen of the 35 victims of the tragedy belonged to one Kedarta family.

Santosh Kedarta, 61, who has since relocated to nearby Rampur, said he lost his 25-year-old son Avinash and his 34-year-old brother Partap. “One of my relatives, Neeraj Kedarta, lost his father, brother, wife, and three children. Only his nephew—his elder brother’s son—survived. Five school students of the eight who died also belonged to our family. We performed the Barsi (first death anniversary rituals) of some family members yesterday. Although we received financial assistance from the state government, many survivors are yet to be fully rehabilitated,” he said.

Lata Devi, pradhan of Sargha Gram panchayat, said, “Though the school was repaired and classes were resumed, but for the safety of students, the local administration and panchayat decided to shift students to the Mahila Mandal building. More than 50 per cent of the village was destroyed in last year’s calamity. Giant boulders that came floating in the floodwaters and damaged structures along the rivulet are still lying there.”

When asked, a senior government official said that the district administration is aware that the school needs a playground. “Efforts are on to get a piece of land nearby,” he said.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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