A scene after a cloudburst at Shamej in Rampur, Shimla district on Thursday. (Photo: PTI)
A cloudburst in Samej Khad area of Rampur, Shimla district has caused major disruptions. Two people have been reported dead and 36 people are missing.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that on learning of the incident, teams of NDRF, SDRF, police and rescue services were sent to the scene. Drones are being used to help locate the missing persons.
Key Updates on Himachal Pradesh Cloud Burst
1) Since Wednesday night, three cloudbursts have occurred in Himachal Pradesh — one each in Rampur, Shimla and two in Kullu. Officials said that as many as 36 people are missing, including 17 women and 19 men.
2) In Rampur, 33 people are missing and in Kullu three people are missing due to unexpectedly heavy rainfall in the region.
3) Officials of the District Disaster Management Authority said they came to know about the cloudburst in Rampur early on Thursday morning. A senior administrative official said, “Due to roadblocks, news about the incident was delayed. The cloudburst occurred around 1 am on Thursday.”
4) State officials said the cloudburst near the Samej Khad hydropower project in Rampur caused significant damage. About a dozen buildings, including a government school, were affected.
5) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has called for an emergency meeting at the state secretariat on Thursday to review the current situation.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu holds a meeting with officials regarding search and rescue operations in Samej Khad area of Rampur in Shimla district where over 50 people are missing and 2 bodies have been recovered so far after a cloudburst. photo.twitter.com/x1dBd6cqFW—ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024
6) The HP Traffic, Tourist and Railway Police issued a warning on Thursday asking citizens to stay away from the river banks.
The advisory said: “During the monsoon season, the water level of the Beas river rises due to unexpected heavy rainfall. As a result, the Pandoh Dam and the Larji Dam will release water through their gates to control the increased flow and silt. The Himachal Pradesh government has issued an advisory urging people to stay away from the river banks during this time and ensure that children and animals also stay away.”
— HP Traffic, Tourist and Railway Police (@TTRHimachal) August 1, 2024
7) The regional meteorological department has issued an ‘orange’ warning for Thursday, August 1. Heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is predicted in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh, except Kinnaur, and Lahaul and Spiti.
8) The weather office has also warned of the risk of landslides and flash floods in some vulnerable areas of Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla and Kinnaur districts. They also warned that strong winds and waterlogging may cause damage to crops, plantations, fragile structures and unpaved houses.
(With input from the agency)
First print: Aug 01, 2024 | 11:05 AM IST