Himachal Pradesh: Rescue operations going on in several parts of the state following the cloudburst

Shimla: In the wake of a catastrophic flood that has ravaged parts of Himachal Pradesh, following a cloud burst, drone search operations on the damaged property and rescue operations are going on in several parts of the state by India Army, NDRF, CISF and others.
Earlier today, CISF jawans recovered people's properties from their houses in cloudburst-affected Rampur's Samej.
CISF Head Constable Rajesh Kumar said, "We are recovering properties stuck in houses following the tragedy that occurred here two days back. The properties are being recovered from the houses safely. This team has been working since morning"
Due to heavy and incessant rain in several parts of the state Bandrol village was cut off from Kullu due to a landslide.
On Saturday morning, NH 5 was cleared and made functional for vehicular movements by using JCB machines following a landslide from the hill near Mukam Dattayar Truck Lay Bay. Long queues of vehicles were seen on the Kullu-Manali bypass road. Parts of the Kullu-Manali Highway washed away in the cloudburst on August 1. Restoration work is underway.
Special Secretary, Disaster Management DC Rana said, "Thursday's incident affected mainly the Samej area of Rampur, Bagipul area of Kullu and Paddar area of Mandi district. These three places were the epicentre of the cloudburst and immediately after getting the information, the specialised agencies responded to the situation. On Thursday, 53 people were found missing. As of Friday, around 6 bodies have been recovered and around 47 are missing. Many villages have been affected, people have been rendered homeless also. Our specialised agencies are on the spot and they are trying to search for the people who have not been traced."
The state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has mobilized extensive rescue and relief efforts. The disaster, triggered by a cloud burst, has left a trail of destruction in its wake, particularly affecting regions around Manali.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, addressing the media amidst ongoing rescue operations, emphasized the gravity of the situation. "The rescue and relief operation is underway in full swing," he stated, highlighting the urgent need to locate and rescue those still trapped and missing.
The cloudburst, which struck with unexpected ferocity, has claimed numerous lives and caused substantial damage to infrastructure, including roads crucial for connectivity. The Chief Minister acknowledged the tireless efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army teams, and local authorities in managing the crisis on the ground.
Amidst the ongoing operation, Chief Minister Sukhu urged tourists to exercise caution. "While tourists are welcome, I urge them to refrain from visiting risky areas such as rivers and waterfalls for photography and selfies," he cautioned, stressing the importance of safety during this critical period.
Efforts to restore essential services, including water supply and other vital schemes disrupted by the calamity, are also underway. The Chief Minister expressed hope that clearer weather conditions would facilitate more effective rescue operations. "The operation will greatly benefit from clear skies and sunlight, essential for recovery missions," he said while speaking to ANI in Shimla.
As the state grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that every possible measure is being taken to mitigate further loss and assist those affected.
He said, "The government continues to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to providing necessary support to the affected communities".
"The resilience and coordinated efforts of the rescue teams serve as a beacon of hope amidst the devastation caused by this unprecedented calamity in Himachal Pradesh" he added.