As of Saturday, 53 people remain missing and six bodies have been recovered following a devastating cloudburst and subsequent flashfloods in the Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla regions of Himachal Pradesh. This information comes from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).Special Secretary DC Rana of the DDMA reported that over sixty houses were washed away, and several villages suffered severe impacts due to the floods. A cloudburst in the Samej area of Shimla district, Rampur region, Baghipul area of Kullu, and Paddar area of Mandi has led to widespread destruction. Fifty-three people are missing and six bodies have been recovered, said DC Rana.#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh | Indian Army built a temporary bridge as rescue and restoration works are underway in Rampurs Samej.Cloudburst that occurred on August 1, left 6 people dead. pic.twitter.com/C5uFJP1kju— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2024Immediate response and rescue effortsThe cloudburst occurred on the night of July 31, spilling into the early hours of August 1. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are actively coordinating efforts to rescue those stranded. Restoration work is underway in Rampur, where the floods severely damaged a road connecting the Rampur and Samej regions.A report from the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre indicates that Mandi experienced the highest casualties, with five deaths, followed by Kullu with one. Shimla has not reported any casualties but has the highest number of missing persons, totaling 33. Kullu has nine missing, and Mandi has six. A total of 55 individuals have been evacuated to relief camps, and 25 people remain stranded. The report also detailed significant damage to infrastructure, with 61 houses fully destroyed and 42 partially damaged, predominantly in Kullu.Government response and on-site assessmentsDeputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri conducted an on-site assessment of the damage inflicted by the flash flood on the Kurpan Khad Water Supply Scheme at Baagi Pul. He revealed that the Rs 315 crore Kurpan Khad project, still under construction, suffered extensive damage due to the flash flood. Agnihotri has directed the department to take immediate action to restore the project.In addition, Agnihotri visited the Matiyana region in Shimla district to evaluate the damage to water supply schemes and related infrastructure. He reported that the department incurred an additional loss of Rs 10 crore due to damage to critical components such as the booster, intake structure, feed line sump well, pump house, pumping machinery, and pipes.Agnihotri also met with families affected by the disaster in the Baagi Pul area of the Kullu district. Describing the situation as grim and painful, he assured that the administration is working diligently to provide relief. He emphasized that the government is extending all possible support to those affected by the disaster.
