Cloudbursts In Himachal Pradesh: 2 Dead, Over 50 Feared Trapped

In Himachal Pradesh situation of cloudbursts has led to death of two people and over 50 are reported missing in Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu Districts. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Home Guard, and Fire Services are engaged in search and rescue operations.

The cloudburst had caused massive destruction in many areas. Most of the houses, schools, and hospitals have been badly damaged. Authorities have ordered the closure of all the schools and colleges in Kullu and Mandi districts.

A building also got collapsed and was washed away in raging Parvati River in Kullu. The collapsed occurred due to increased water flow in the river caused by heavy rains.

Severe flooding and landslides strike Himachal Pradesh which caused widespread destruction. In almost a repeat of last year’s monsoon disaster, cloudbursts, floods, flash floods, and landslides caused major havoc and devastation across Himachal Pradesh.

Cloudbursts have caused significant damage which affected buildings, roads and hydro-power projects, and also led to disrupting road connectivity. The meteorological department of that region has issued ‘Orange Alert’ for heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightnings, in isolated areas throughout Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has called for an emergency meeting to assess the situation and has assured comprehensive efforts to locate and aid those areas. He also shared the casualty figures with the media. He also stated that officials had been instructed to make all the necessary arrangements.

https://twitter.com/SukhuSukhvinder/status/1818909800773582879

Chief Minister tweeted, “HP Govt Emergency Support and Help– 2024 Monsoon Disaster हिमाचल सरकार द्वारा आपदा में 24*7 जनता की मदद के लिए जिला स्तर पर टीम बनाई गई है, जो आपकी किसी भी इमरजेंसी में मदद करेगी। दिए गए नंबर पर किसी भी इमरजेंसी के लिए कॉल करें।” (HP Govt Emergency Support and Help- 2024 Monsoon Disaster. Himachal government has formed a team at the district level to help the public 24*7 in times of disaster, which will help you in any emergency. Call at the given number for any emergency.)

Nearly 200 pilgrims on the Kedarnath Yatra route were also stranded with the rain washing away a part of their walking path. They were stopped at the Bhimbali Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam complex after portions of the footpath near Bhimbali washed out.

Today on Twitter many X users posted related to this issue. One user by sharing a video said, “In Manikaran, a town situated in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, a building has collapsed following a severe cloudburst. The incident highlights the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events.”

Another user said, “An intense flood crisis and cloudburst occurred in Himachal Pradesh. Over 40 people are reported missing and one dead found after a cloudburst damages Nirmand, Mandi, Shimla and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh.

Many other people are sharing their views on this incident. The devastation caused by the cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh is heartbreaking. Still in this hour of crisis, the state government is standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of state. All the hopes that rescue mission proceed smoothly without any further casualties.