As many as 19 individuals are unaccounted for following a cloudburst in the Samej Khad area of the Rampur region in Shimla, as confirmed by Deputy Commissioner of Shimla district administration, Anupam Kashyap. The District Disaster Management Authority received information early Thursday morning about a cloudburst near a hydropower project in Samej Khad, Jhakri, Rampur.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi promptly departed for the incident site. Kashyap stated that upon receiving the news, teams from the NDRF, SDRF, police, and rescue services were dispatched to the location. He further noted that all teams are collaboratively engaged in rescue efforts, with essential facilities, including ambulances, being provided.
In the Kullu district, adjacent to Samej Khad, there may be additional individuals missing, according to officials. Union Health Minister and BJP President JP Nadda has directed all BJP members to assist in the rescue and relief efforts for those affected by the cloudburst.
A statement from the Health Minister's office revealed that Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had contacted Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu, assuring comprehensive support from the central government. BJP President JP Nadda also reached out to former CM and Leader of Opposition in the Himachal assembly, Jairam Thakur, instructing all BJP workers to participate in relief activities.
In his statement, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property in Rajman village near Thaltukhod in Mandi district due to heavy rains, with many buildings and houses destroyed and numerous people missing in Samej, Bagipul areas under Nirmand. He pledged support to the affected families and urged the State Government to expedite relief and rescue operations at the sites devastated by last night's heavy rains across the state.
Another cloudburst incident has been reported in Thaltukhod, Padhar subdivision of Mandi, where one body has been found and nine people are missing. Houses have also suffered damage. The district administration and the NDRF team have been dispatched to the scene, according to Deputy Commissioner Mandi, Apoorv Devgan.
