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Himachal: Death Toll In Flash Floods Rises To 9, Landslides Lead To Closure Of 114 Roads

August 3, 2024
Bharat Times

In the wake of devastating flash floods triggered by cloudbursts, the death toll in Himachal Pradesh has risen to nine, following the recovery of a body from Rajban village in Mandi. Rescuers are still searching for approximately 45 missing individuals across three affected districts. The cloudbursts, which occurred on the night of July 31, caused severe damage in Kullu’s Nirmand, Sainj, and Malana; Mandi’s Padhar; and Shimla’s Rampur subdivision.

Efforts to locate the missing are ongoing, with 410 rescuers from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, CISF, Himachal Pradesh Police, and home guards deployed, news agency PTI reported. The search is supported by drones and various equipment.

The body of 11-year-old Anamika was discovered under a large boulder, which rescue teams had to blast to recover. According to PTI, Gram Sarpara Pradhan Mohan Lal Kaptiya expressed concern that the chances of finding survivors are diminishing, stating, “The possibility of rescuing people alive is diminishing with each passing hour but we just hope that the bodies are recovered soon as delay would lead to decaying of bodies which would make identification difficult.”

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NDRF Commanding Officer Karam Singh noted, “We are using various equipment and sensors to detect victims buried or trapped under the debris,” as his team continues operations in Samej village on the Shimla-Kullu border, PTI reported. Over 30 individuals are reported missing in Samej alone.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur visited the affected area on Saturday, urging for expedited relief efforts. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had previously announced an immediate relief package including Rs 50,000 for victims, along with monthly rent assistance of Rs 5,000 for the next three months, plus gas, food, and other essentials. He reported that the disaster has destroyed 115 houses, 23 cowsheds, 10 shops, and three fish farms, with a total loss of Rs 662 crore since the onset of the monsoon on June 27. The state has seen 79 rain-related fatalities as of August 3.

Himachal Pradesh: 114 Roads Closed Due To Landslides, Heavy Rains To Continue Till Aug 7

Additionally, heavy rain and landslides have led to the closure of 114 roads across Himachal Pradesh, with 36 closures in Mandi, 34 in Kullu, 27 in Shimla, eight in Lahaul and Spiti, seven in Kangra, and two in Kinnaur. The Himachal Roads Transport Corporation has suspended bus services on 82 routes, PTI reported. The local weather office has issued a yellow alert for continued heavy rains until August 7. 

Since June 27, rain-related incidents have resulted in 77 deaths and damages amounting to Rs 655 crore, PTI reported officials as stating.