At least 50 people are missing following a devastating cloudburst in Samej Khud, located in the Jhakri area of Rampur near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The incident occurred last night, prompting officials to rush to the scene to initiate rescue operations. Another cloudburst incident was reported from Mandi.
The regional Meteorological Department has issued an 'orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, in most districts of Himachal Pradesh, excluding Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti, for Thursday.
A 'yellow' alert for heavy rain at isolated places was also issued for Friday. The wet spell in the state is expected to last until August 6.
The Met Office uses four colour-coded warnings: green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), and orange (be prepared), and red (take action).
The weather office warned of potential landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas, including Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, and Kinnaur districts.
Strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas could damage plantations, standing crops, vulnerable structures, and Kutcha houses.
Intermittent rain continued in parts of Himachal Pradesh throughout the day, compounding the challenges faced by rescue teams.
This cloudburst is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events affecting the region.
Meanwhile, in recent years, Himachal Pradesh has experienced increased instances of heavy rainfall and landslides, attributed to changing climate conditions.
These events have highlighted the need for improved disaster management and infrastructure resilience in the state.
Follow us
