More than 50 individuals are reported missing, and 11 are confirmed dead in Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu districts following severe cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukkhu has confirmed that rescue and relief operations are actively ongoing. The devastating impact of cloudbursts and landslides in Himachal and Uttarakhand has prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to closely monitor the situation, as reported by ANI, citing sources. PM Modi has directed officials to ensure comprehensive assistance for the victims of the heavy rains and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh.
“Very sad news has been received about more than 50 people missing due to a cloudburst in Rampur tehsil of Shimla, Padhar tehsil of Mandi district and Jaon, Nirmand villages of Kullu. Teams of NDRF, SDRF, Police, Home Guard, and Fire Services are engaged in relief, search and rescue operations. The local administration has been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations smoothly. I am in touch with the officials and monitoring the relief and rescue operations. The state government is committed to providing all possible assistance,” the Chief Minister said in a post.
Simultaneously, flash floods and cloudbursts have wreaked havoc in several regions of Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Secretary, Vinod Kumar Suman, confirmed that at least ten people have lost their lives due to the heavy rains in various parts of the state. The rainfall has caused significant damage, including the destruction of a concrete bridge and a footbridge on the Kedarnath route, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a field inspection of the rain-affected areas in Rudraprayag. He assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to address the damage and assist those affected by the severe weather.
In a statement from the Health Minister’s office, it was noted, “On the sad news of huge losses and disruption of life due to cloudburst in various areas of Himachal Pradesh, Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda spoke to Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu and assured all possible help from the central government. The BJP President JP Nadda, also spoke to former CM and LoP in the Himachal assembly, Jairam Thakur, and the BJP State President and directed all BJP workers to engage in relief work.”
The situation remains critical, with authorities working tirelessly to rescue those stranded and provide aid to the affected regions. The collaborative efforts of state and central government officials, alongside rescue teams, aim to mitigate the disaster’s impact and restore normalcy as swiftly as possible.
The recent heavy rains and cloudbursts have caused significant destruction in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, leaving many in distress. It is crucial for everyone to stay informed and heed the advisories issued by the authorities. If you are in a safe position to help, consider donating to relief funds or volunteering with local organizations to support the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
Stay updated with the latest news and safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of you and your loved ones during these challenging times.
