Two people have died, and at least 53 others are missing after cloudbursts hit Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu districts in Himachal Pradesh this morning. The cloudbursts caused extensive damage in the three districts, destroying many houses, schools, and hospitals. Relief and rescue efforts are ongoing. Authorities have closed all schools and colleges in Kullu and Mandi.

Source: TOI

Full Story:

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu shared the casualty figures with the media and said that officials had been told to make all necessary arrangements.

“NDRF, SDRF, DCs, and officials are on site. We’ve instructed them to make all necessary arrangements. We’ve also asked for help from the army. I urge people to stay away from canals and rivers. The Air Force has been asked to be on standby,” he said.

Mr. Sukhu said the situation is under control, but roads and infrastructure have been damaged, and Manali has lost connectivity.

In Shimla, at least 20 people were reported missing after a cloudburst near a hydroelectric power project at Samej Khad. A disaster response team was sent to the spot, and top officials, including Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and district police chief Sanjeev Gandhi, were on their way.

Mr. Kashyap said, “According to the information we received, about 20 people are missing from the area affected by the cloudburst.”

The cloudburst has disrupted road connectivity, so rescue teams are hiking to the affected site.

Cloudbursts have also occurred in Mandi, about 125 km from Shimla. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said cloudbursts in Rajban village near Muhal Terang have caused road blockages and landslides.

“Under these circumstances, the movement of staff, school and college children, and trainees may not be safe and should be restricted,” the Deputy Commissioner said, announcing that all educational institutions and vocational training centers in Padhar subdivision must remain closed.

Read Also:

Climate Change, Govt Laziness To Blame For Disastrous Floods In The North East