Himachal Pradesh Cloudburst: 2 killed, over 10 missing in Kangra, Kullu as flash floods wreak havoc across state, IMD issues Orange alert
New Delhi: Two persons were killed, and over a dozen went missing after cloudbursts led to flash floods in several districts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. According to the reports, two bodies were recovered and at least 10 reported missing in Kangra district. Several houses, a school building, connecting roads and small bridges have been damaged.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Kangra’s Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said: “We have recovered two bodies so far, and efforts are underway to trace people who got washed away in Kangra on Wednesday… The victims were working at a small hydroelectric power project near Dharamshala, Kangra. We have sought a detailed list of workers employed at the plant from the contractor concerned.”
Three cloudbursts incidents were reported from Jeeva Nallah and Rehla Bihal in Sainj and Shilagarh in Gadsa area of Kullu district. Three people in Rehla Bihal trying to take away their valuables from their homes were washed away in the deluge and are missing, the officials said.
There were also flash floods in Manali and Banjar in the district. Teams are at the spot and search operations are underway, said Kullu Additional District Commissioner (ADC) Ashwani Kumar. There were also reports of a flash flood in the Brahma Ganga drain in Manikaran valley. Water levels have reached several houses and could cause damage if they don’t recede soon.
Talking to The Indian Express, Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh said: “Three persons went missing after cloudbursts in the areas of Banjar sub-division — Sainj valley — in Kullu; two to three houses were also washed away. Besides, the water level has also increased in many parts of Manali sub-division. Necessary warnings have been issued. Different teams of the State Disaster Response Authority (SDRF) are engaged in the rescue operation. We are also in constant touch with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Our priority is to trace the missing people. Instructions have been issued to suspend water-sports activities in Kullu.”
Videos of heavy floods at several places in Kullu show the extent of the damage. In one, a vehicle can be seen floating in muddy waters.
Stay away from river: Banjar MLA Surinder Shauri
“Heavy rains have been going on since morning and I have received several calls that rains have caused damage in Sainj, Tirthan and Gadsa. I would appeal to the people to stay away from river and drains and have asked the administration to take quick action as people are in problem,” said Banjar MLA Surinder Shauri.
Orange Alert Issued:
Meanwhile, IMD Shimla has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in district Kullu, Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmour and Solan along with one or two places in district Una in the next 24 hours. The alert will remain in effect till Thursday evening.
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