19 Missing After Cloudburst in Shimla's Samej Khad, Rescue Ops Underway

Shimla: As many as 19 people were missing after an incident of cloudburst occurred at the Samej Khad area in the Rampur region of Shimla district, Deputy Commissioner of Shimla district administration Anupam Kashyap said.

The District Disaster Management Authority confirmed the incident on Thursday morning that a cloud burst near the hydropower project in Samej Khad in Jhakri, Rampur.

Furthermore, a team of NDRF, SDR,  police, and rescue team left for the site of the incident and are currently searching for the missing people.

Kashyap said that relief work has been started immediately. He added that ITBP, the Special Home Guard contingent, has also been included in the rescue team.

The official stated that all the teams are working together in the rescue operations and all the basic facilities, including the ambulance, have been provided.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh's Kullu and Mandi also continue to remain affected by the cloudburst incident.  In another incident of cloudburst in Thaltukhod, Padhar subdivision of Mandi, one body has been recovered and nine people have been missing.

Nadda Assures Full Assistance

Amid the havoc in Himachal, Union Health Minister and BJP President JP Nadda urged all BJP cadres to work toward the rescue and relief of people hit by the cloudburst in the hilly state.

A statement from the Health Minister's office read, "On the sad news of huge losses and disruption of life due to cloudburst in various areas of Himachal Pradesh, Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda spoke to Himachal Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu and assured all possible help from the central government. The BJP President JP Nadda also spoke to former CM and LoP in the Himachal assembly Jairam Thakur and the BJP State President and directed all BJP workers to engage in relief work."

Similarly, LoP Jairam Thakur said "I am saddened to hear the news of the loss of life and property in Rajman village near Thaltukhod in Mandi district due to heavy rains last night and many buildings and houses being washed away and many people going missing in Samej, Bagipul areas under Nirmand. I stand with the affected families in this hour of grief. I also request the State Government to ensure relief and rescue operations on a war footing at the sites of devastation caused by heavy rains in the entire State last night."

(Inputs from ANI)