Rampur/Shimla, Aug 1
A cloudburst has been reported near the hydro project at Samej Khad in the Jhakhri area of Rampur. The District Disaster Management Authority received the news early Thursday morning.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi have also headed to the site of the incident. DC Anupam Kashyap stated that as soon as the news was received, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and rescue teams were dispatched to the location.
According to the information received, this is a Nalla(Rivulet) called Samej khad with kullu district on one side and Shimla on the other. So far 32 people are reported missing from the affected area due to the cloudburst, he stated. Adding that chances are a few people maybe be missing on the kullu side, though the same remains unconfirmed as of filing this report.
The incident occured after 1 AM on thursday as due to road blockages got reported late. Meanwhile SDM Rampur Nishant Tomar has reached the site.
Due to multiple road blockages, efforts to reach the location on foot with equipment are a challenge.
DC Anupam Kashyap said that relief work has been initiated immediately. He added that teams from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Special Home Guard have also been included in the rescue operation. All teams are working in unison for the rescue efforts. Ambulances and other essential facilities have been included in the rescue operation.
He further mentioned that a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, including the police, home guard, fire brigade, Sunni Dam management, and other departments to coordinate relief and rescue operation.
Also reportedly, last night, heavy devastation occurred due to a cloudburst in the high mountains of Shrikhand Mahadev in Kullu district. A bridge and several houses in Bagipul of the construction block were affected. Additionally, the water overflow in Malana Dam has caused flooding, leading to further destruction. A video of the same is viral on social media.
An official report from the Jhakri Police Unit stated that the water level increased considerably in Ghanavi and Samej Khad due to the cloudburst. Preliminary reports established that the flood in Ghanavi, caused by the cloudburst, resulted in five houses, two footbridges, one JCB machine, and three small vehicles being washed away along with the debris. Debris also entered some houses, though no loss of life has been reported so far.
In contrast, the cloudburst in Symej Khad led to a significant loss of life and property due to the increased water level. A school building, hospital, power project rest house, and several houses were washed away.
Noteworthy that the IMD has issued a heavy rain alert for the next 24 hours.
Stay tuned as more updates arrive soon.
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