Cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh: At Least 2 Dead, Over 50 Missing as Amit Shah Promises Central Support
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/1st August 2024
A severe cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh has resulted in at least two fatalities and left more than 50 individuals missing across the Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu districts. The natural disaster struck early in the morning, causing significant disruption and prompting immediate action from local and central authorities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the Chief Minister of central assistance and support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to address the crisis.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah engaged in discussions with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to review the unfolding situation. The Union Minister has committed to deploying central resources and NDRF personnel to aid in the response efforts. Chief Minister Sukhu has been actively coordinating with officials to manage the search and rescue operations. He reported that two bodies have been recovered so far, while over 50 people remain unaccounted for following the cloudburst.
Chief Minister Sukhu confirmed the severity of the situation, stating that the cloudburst occurred at approximately 4:40 a.m., and heavy rainfall is forecasted for the next 36 hours. The local administration has mobilized teams from the District Administration, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and NDRF to the affected areas to conduct rescue operations. The Chief Minister has emphasized the state government’s commitment to providing all necessary assistance and ensuring that relief operations are conducted efficiently.
In a social media update, Chief Minister Sukhu described the cloudburst’s impact on Rampur tehsil in Shimla, Padhar tehsil in Mandi district, and Jaon and Nirmand villages in Kullu. He detailed that teams from NDRF, SDRF, Police, Home Guard, and Fire Services are engaged in ongoing relief efforts. The local administration has been instructed to facilitate these operations and ensure effective coordination.
The disaster has also led to increased water levels in the Beas River, exacerbating the situation. Mandi police reported that the cloudburst caused significant damage, including the complete destruction of two houses and partial damage to another in Village Rajban near Terang. Due to the heavy rainfall, the Beas River has seen a rise in water levels, prompting the opening of the Pandoh Dam gates to manage the flow. Residents have been advised to avoid approaching the river due to the heightened risk.
Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has expressed concern over the preparedness for such events, suggesting that the damage from previous disasters has not yet been fully addressed. Thakur acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the state government and NDRF teams while highlighting the need for improved preparation and response strategies to mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.
As the situation continues to develop, the focus remains on rescuing those missing and providing support to affected communities. The collaboration between state and central authorities aims to alleviate the immediate impact and address the long-term needs of those affected by this devastating cloudburst.
