BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma on Thursday voiced serious concern over the flash flood and cloudburst near Dharamshala, saying that the sudden surge in water may have swept away 15 to 20 people. Calling it a major tragedy, Sharma urged the government to respond with sensitivity and ensure adequate compensation for the families affected by the disaster.
MLA Sharma state that, “15 to 20 people have been swept away due to the sudden rise in water flow. We stand with the affected families. They should be given proper compensation. Such a big tragedy has happened here. The government should be sensitive and take cognisance of this..."
"The rescue operation is in a very inaccessible area and tough. Only the NDRF and SDRF can proceed. The rescue operation is going on. This is a joint operation of NDRF-SDRF,” National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant Baljinder Singh stated this from the affected zone.
"So far, six people have been reported missing. In the joint operation of NDRF-SDRF, we have recovered one body a short while ago," the NDRF Commandant said.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, highlighting the broader impact of the extreme weather, said the state experienced cloudbursts at three locations and flash floods at nine sites across Himachal.
“There have been cloudbursts at three locations and flash floods at nine locations in the state. There is confirmation of five deaths. In Kullu, two people are missing. In Kangra, three people have died due to a cloudburst and five people are missing; one person stranded in a forest area is being rescued,” he added.
CM Sukhu said, “Fifteen houses located near rivers or nallas have been damaged. There has been significant damage to many roads in villages due to a cloudburst. Tourists are welcome to the state during monsoon, but they should not go near rivers/nallas.”
A cloudburst was also reported on Wednesday afternoon near Jeeva Nalla in Sainj sub-tehsil in Kullu, causing severe flooding. It swept away four houses and caused a sudden surge in the Sainj River’s water level.
According to a situation report submitted by the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at 5:10 pm, two to three people are feared missing. They might have been swept away in the rising waters of the Jeeva Nalla.
The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), Kullu, confirmed the cloudburst and reported a significant surge in river levels due to increased inflow.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast of isolated heavy rainfall in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and West Uttar Pradesh between June 25 and July 1, urging the authorities and residents to remain alert.
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