"Cloudbursts in Himachal's Shimla, Kullu, and Mandi, 2 dead, over 50 missing."
Mr. Sukhu stated that the situation is under control, but the roads and infrastructure have been damaged, and Manali has lost connectivity.
Arpit Pattnaik
Two people have died and at least 53 others are missing after cloudbursts in Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh this morning. The cloudburst caused massive devastation in the three districts, damaging many houses, schools, and hospitals. Relief and rescue operations are underway. Authorities have ordered the closure of all schools and colleges in Kullu and Mandi.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu shared the casualty figures with the media and said that officials had been instructed to make all necessary arrangements. He also mentioned the presence of NDRF, SDRF, DCs, and other officials at the spot, and sought help from the army. Chief Minister Sukhu appealed to people to stay away from canals and rivers, and informed that the Air Force has been asked to be ready.
According to Chief Minister Sukhu, the situation is under control, but roads and infrastructure have been damaged, and Manali has lost connectivity. A building housing a vegetable market collapsed on the Manikaran-Bhuntar road.
In Summer Capital Shimla, at least 20 people were reported missing after a cloudburst near a hydroelectric power project at Samej Khad. A disaster response team was rushed to the spot and top officials, including Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and district police chief Sanjeev Gandhi, were on their way. Mr. Kashyap reported that about 20 people are missing from the affected area.
Cloudbursts have also affected road connectivity in Mandi, about 125 km from Shimla. An order issued by Mandi deputy commissioner Apoorv Devgan stated that cloudbursts in Rajban village near Muhal Terang has led to road blockades and landslides.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the situation in Mandi and has asked top officials to ensure all possible assistance is provided to those affected.
In neighboring Uttarakhand, two people died and another was injured after a cloudburst in Jakhanyali in Tehri Garhwal district. The dead have been identified as Bhanu Prasad (50) and Anita Devi (45). According to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), three people were reported missing due to the cloudburst. Two bodies were recovered and an injured person was found in a 200-metre-deep ditch. Additionally, in Haridwar, two children died and nine others were injured when the roof of a dilapidated house collapsed after heavy rainfall.
