In Himachal Pradesh, a devastating cloudburst has resulted in two fatalities and left over 50 individuals missing, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation.
Late last night, a cloudburst struck the Samej Khad area of Rampur in Shimla district, leading to sudden and severe flooding. Emergency teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police, and home guards have been deployed to assist in rescue efforts, according to Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap. Drones are being used to aid in locating those missing.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu convened an emergency meeting to review the situation. He stated, “The cloudburst occurred around 4:40 am, and about 50 people are missing. Two bodies have been recovered. With heavy rain expected in the next 36 hours, rescue teams from the DC, SDRF, and NDRF are on site. I have also contacted the Union Home Minister.”
Another cloudburst was reported in the Thaltukhod area of the Padhar subdivision in Mandi district, where one body has been found and nine people are missing. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan confirmed that severe flooding has damaged several houses, and additional NDRF teams have been sent to the affected region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken with Chief Minister Sukhu to evaluate the situation and promised central assistance along with NDRF support. Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda has instructed all BJP cadres to assist in the rescue and relief efforts, urging them to engage in helping those affected.
Jairam Thakur, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Assembly, expressed concern over the ongoing damage. “It is troubling to see significant losses from the recent rains, with more reports of damage emerging this year,” Thakur said. “We must prioritize rescue operations.”
Meanwhile, alarming visuals from Himachal Pradesh show the swollen Beas River surging through valleys and towns, highlighting the extent of the flooding caused by the cloudbursts.
