Relief and rescue operations are in full swing in Samej village, near Rampur in Shimla district, following severe cloudbursts that have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh. The catastrophic weather event has caused extensive damage, particularly affecting the hill station and its surrounding areas.
The situation in Samej village has prompted a significant response from local and national authorities. The cloudburst caused flash floods and landslides, blocking major roads and disrupting connectivity. On Monday, the Lahaul Spiti Police reported that a flash flood near Zinzing Bar on National Highway 3 has resulted in road closures. Restoration efforts are ongoing, but all traffic remains halted at Sarcha and Sarch until the roads are cleared.
Earlier, the Kullu-Manali Highway, severely damaged in the cloudburst on August 1, was partially reopened for one-way traffic. Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Ravish updated ANI, stating that the highway was heavily damaged but had been restored for single-lane traffic. He highlighted the severe impact on the Nirmand area, where two people are missing, raising the total number of missing individuals to 11, with one body recovered so far. Ravish noted that 20 bridges in Bagipul and nearby areas had been washed away. The Forest Department has undertaken temporary restoration efforts to address the immediate needs.
Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh reported on Saturday that approximately 50 people are feared dead in the affected areas. The official death toll will be confirmed once rescue operations are completed and assessments are finalized. The state government has prioritized retrieving bodies and restoring connectivity in the impacted regions. An immediate relief of Rs 50,000 has been announced for the affected families, with additional compensation expected in the future.
Singh also mentioned the extensive involvement of various rescue and relief teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and Home Guard personnel. All these teams are working together to provide aid and restore normalcy.
Minister Singh elaborated on the impact of the cloudburst, which occurred 2-3 days prior over the Shrikhand mountain peak. The affected areas in Rampur and Kullu have experienced massive destruction. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has visited the disaster-stricken areas to assess the situation and brief officials. Efforts are underway to set up Bailey bridges at critical locations, and police personnel are being deployed to support the rescue operations.
The Indian Army has also played a crucial role in the relief efforts. The Army launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations to support the affected communities. According to the Indian Army, the road leading to the incident site was initially blocked due to a land shift about 2.5 kilometers short of the site. Troops had to proceed on foot beyond the blockade. The Army’s Engineer Task Force (ETF) worked swiftly to repair the road, making it operational by Friday. Despite temporary equipment delays, the road was cleared, allowing for the completion of an improvised footbridge. This bridge facilitated the movement of rescu
e teams to the far bank of the river and enabled the rescue of civilians stranded there.
The ongoing relief and rescue efforts in Himachal Pradesh highlight the coordinated response from various agencies to address the immediate needs of the affected populations and to restore normalcy in the wake of the devastating cloudbursts.