Cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand: 13 Dead, Rescue Operations Underway

A series of devastating cloudbursts have struck Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, leading to the tragic loss of 13 lives. The relentless rainfall has caused houses to collapse, and many individuals are still missing. Rescue operations are in full swing as authorities work tirelessly to find those unaccounted for. This article delves into the details of this calamity, providing a comprehensive overview of the events and ongoing efforts to manage the crisis.

Uttarakhand Cloudbursts: A Grim Toll

In Uttarakhand, the disaster has claimed nine lives across several districts, including Tehri, Haridwar, Roorkee, Chamoli, and Dehradun. The hardest hit was Tehri, where three people lost their lives, including Vipin (30), who succumbed to his injuries at Rishikesh AIIMS. Vipin’s parents also died on the spot. Rescue teams are currently searching for a monk who went missing after the cloudburst.

Tehri District Magistrate Mayur Dixit mentioned that the bridge connecting the Chardham Yatra route could take four to five days to be rebuilt. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the situation and may visit the affected areas soon. Local MLA Shakti Lal Shah has urged officials to expedite the relief and rescue operations.

Himachal Pradesh: Heavy Rains and Tragedy

Himachal Pradesh also experienced severe consequences from the cloudbursts, with three reported deaths and 44 missing persons. In Rampur, Shimla district, a cloudburst near a hydro project site resulted in one death and 36 missing individuals. Another eight people are missing in Mandi. The rescue efforts, involving teams from NDRF, SDRF, CISF, and home guards, are facing challenges due to damaged roads and swollen rivers.

Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap emphasized that the situation is critical, and additional support from ITBP has been requested. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is overseeing the rescue operations and coordinating with Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who has assured full support from the central government.

Forecast and Future Precautions

The regional Met office has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, excluding Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, and a yellow alert for isolated heavy rain. The wet spell is expected to continue until August 6. Authorities have urged residents and visitors to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.

Impact and Response in Uttarakhand

The impact of the heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand has been widespread. In addition to the loss of lives, significant damage has occurred to infrastructure. A bridge on the Ghansali Kedarnath road was damaged, disrupting the Chardham Yatra. In Haridwar, a truck carrying supplies for kanwariyas was swept away in the river Sukhi, though fortunately, no lives were lost. In Pithoragarh district, multiple houses were damaged, though there were no casualties.

Chief Minister Dhami has advised people to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and assured that the safety of residents and visitors is the state’s top priority.

The recent cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on finding the missing and providing relief to affected families. The government and local authorities are working round the clock to manage the situation and prevent further tragedies. For the latest updates and safety guidelines, stay tuned to local news and follow official advisories.