Shimla, 01 August: Himachal Pradesh is grappling with the aftermath of multiple massive cloudbursts and heavy rains, which have caused widespread damage and disruption in several districts. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called an emergency meeting today to assess and address the crisis.
The state has witnessed five separate cloudburst incidents, affecting Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts. Reports suggest that two people have been confirmed dead, while over 50 people are still missing. The incessant rains have wreaked havoc on infrastructure: five roads, including a key national highway, have become impassable and three bridges have collapsed.
In Shimla district, the Samej area of Jhakri has been particularly badly affected. Residential areas have been severely damaged, about 36 people are missing and a road has been blocked. In Mandi district, seven people are reported missing, two bodies have been recovered and three houses have been damaged due to a cloudburst near Tikkan Thalukot village.
Seven people went missing and nine houses were destroyed, along with two bridges, after a cloudburst in Jaon village of Nirmand tehsil in Kullu district. The disaster also caused the water level of the Pin Parvati river to rise dangerously, washing away a bus. Besides, another cloudburst in Malana sub-tehsil Jari damaged the Malana bridge, leaving nine people stranded on the banks of the Beas river.
Chief Minister Sukhu stressed that the primary focus is on rescuing individuals and providing assistance to affected families. To facilitate these efforts, the state government is deploying five transport drones to assist in rescue operations and providing satellite phones at the SDM level to improve communications. Additionally, 50 generators will be distributed to police stations and outposts to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
The weather department has predicted heavy rains to continue till Friday morning, so the chief minister has urged people to remain vigilant and avoid going to areas near rivers and streams. The State Disaster Response Force is being strengthened and 13 emergency operation centres have been set up across the state to monitor the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
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