Shops, houses, roads and bridges were washed away at many places, two hydroelectric projects were damaged, Chandigarh-Manali National Highway was damaged at many places due to landslides, educational institutions were closed in the affected areas.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu called an emergency meeting and issued instructions to officials.
Shimla: Apna Punjab Media: Three people died in two separate incidents of cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh, while about 40 people are said to be missing. Due to heavy rains, many houses and roads have been washed away and two hydroelectric projects have been damaged. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu held an emergency meeting and issued necessary instructions to the officials. Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi told the news agency that two people died and 28 others were missing due to cloudburst in Samag Khud (drain) in Rampur subdivision of Shimla. Two people have been rescued on the spot. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that the cloud burst incident occurred at around 1 o’clock in the morning. He said that relief work has become challenging due to water logging on the roads. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that there has been huge loss due to heavy rains and cloud bursts in the state. Road connectivity has been broken in the affected areas. Four bridges and footbridges have been washed away and relief work is going on in full swing. The apple crop has also been damaged. DC and SP who reached the spot said that teams of NDRF, ITBP, Police and Home Guard have started relief operations and the help of drones is being taken to search for the missing people.
Meanwhile, one person died and nine others are missing in a cloudburst in Thalatukhor of Padhar in Mandi district on Wednesday night. Some houses collapsed and road connectivity was also lost. Mandi district administration has sought help from the Indian Air Force and NDRF. Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has been damaged at many places due to rising water level in Beas river. There is news of damage to houses in Bhagipul of Kullu. People have been put on alert in Bhuntar in Kullu as the water level in Parvati river and Malana ditch has risen, causing damage to Malana 1 and Malana 2 hydroelectric projects. Due to landslides, Manali-Chandigarh National Highway has been closed at many places and water of Beas river has entered houses in Pandoh of Mandi. Many people are missing and houses and shops are flooded. All educational institutions have been closed in the affected areas.