Cloud burst near Rampur: Many houses including a school and live stock washed away 

Cloud burst near Rampur: Many houses including a school and live stock washed away 

Shimla, July 26

A devastating cloud burst hit Kandahar village in the Sarpara Panchayat of Rampur sub-division last night, resulting in heavy losses of property and livestock. The incident occurred around 2300 hrs on Tuesday, nearly 200 km away from the capital town.

According to the SDM of Rampur, the cloud burst caused flash floods that disrupted NH-5 between Jeori and Bernoi areas near Shimla and Kinnaur border. However, the road has been restored since then.

Mohan Kapatiya, the Gram Panchayat Sarpanch of Sarpara, reported that the village has been severely affected by the natural calamity, and the road and communication to Sarpara have been cut off from the rest of the country and the world. He urgently requested the administration to provide immediate relief to the affected people after assessing the situation on the ground.

The cloud burst wreaked havoc, burying and washing away fruit orchards and fertile lands, as well as damaging and washing away numerous houses. The floods also inundated the houses of villagers, including the primary school building, youth club building, and residential properties. Moreover, precious livestock, including cows, bulls, sheep, and goats, were swept away by the rushing water.

In response to the calamity, the administration has requisitioned a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide assistance and support in the affected area.

Additional reports indicate that another NDRF team has been deployed at the Malana Stage-II dam site in Kullu district to address a potential issue with the dam gates. The dam reportedly developed a snag, impeding the controlled release of water, raising concerns about potential flooding downstream. Consequently, a red alert has been issued in the downstream areas of the Parvati river till Bhuntar, with people being advised to stay away from the river banks for their safety. Also read: Alert issued in Manikaran Valley after Malana PP dam gate snag