The state capital Shimla, among other places in Himachal Pradesh, witnessed heavy downpours. Landslides followed cloudburst in the state, killing 3 people and injuring many others. As per the initial reports, the number of people missing after the landslide has crossed the mark of 40. The rescue operations are underway, yet the situation has turned scary leaving many people lost. While the media claims that 40 people are missing, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh says that 50-plus people are feared missing.
शिमला की रामपुर तहसील, मंडी ज़िले की पधर तहसील और कुल्लू के गांव जाओन, निरमंड में बादल फटने से 50 से अधिक लोगों के लापता होने का अत्यंत दुखद समाचार मिला।
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) August 1, 2024
NDRF, SDRF, पुलिस, होम गार्ड और फायर सर्विसेज की टीमें राहत, खोज और बचाव कार्य में जुटी हुई हैं। स्थानीय प्रशासन को राहत एवं… pic.twitter.com/t3iUiFuIqn
Since Wednesday night, 3 cloudbursts have taken place in Himachal Pradesh: one in Rampur, Shimla, and two in Kullu. As a result of the region’s surprisingly heavy rainfall, 33 individuals are missing in Rampur alone, and three others are missing in Kullu. The other missing persons are from Mandi.
Scary scenes from Kullu, Himachal Pradesh after the cloudburst. pic.twitter.com/rygk0ZDRx1
— Griha Atul (@GrihaAtul) August 1, 2024
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap stated that upon learning about the event, personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, police, and rescue services were stationed at the scene. Drones are being used to assist in locating the missing individuals.
The regional Meteorological Office has issued an Orange (be prepared) alert in many areas of Himachal Pradesh including Kinnaur, Spiti Valley, and Lahaul. The department has stated the probability of massive rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning. 48 roads have also been closed by the centre.
The meteorological office also warned of the likelihood of landslides and flash floods in sensitive regions of Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, and Kinnaur districts. There is also a threat of damage to plantations and standing crops, vulnerable structures, and kutcha huts caused by strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, intermittent rain hit areas of Himachal Pradesh throughout the day. Dharamshala received 127.6 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, followed by Una with 60.2 mm, Manali with 45 mm, Jogindernagar with 27 mm, Kangra with 21.6 mm, Saloni with 18.2 mm, Palampur with 17.4 mm, Nahan with 16.1 mm, and Kasauli with 15 mm, according to Shimla’s regional Met Centre.
हिमाचल प्रदेश के कुल्लू जिले के #मलाणा में बादल फटने से जलस्तर काफी बढ़ गया है..मलाणा प्रोजेक्ट के सभी गेट खोल दिए गए हैं जिस कारण मलाणा प्रोजेक्ट के निचले क्षेत्र में भारी तबाही की आशंका जताई जा रही है#Kullu #HimachalPradesh #heavyrain #CloudBurst #Weather #Climate #Monsoon pic.twitter.com/OICozRmF4n
— mishikasingh (@mishika_singh) August 1, 2024
Since the start of the monsoon on June 27, 65 people have died as a result of rain-related incidents, according to the state data accessed by media. The state has also suffered losses of Rs 433 crore, according to the Emergency Operation Centre. Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest area in the state on Wednesday, 31st July, with a night temperature of 12.8 degrees Celsius, while Bhuntar in Kullu district was the warmest, with a day temperature of 36.2 degrees.
The incident of cloudburst is also said to have struck the Mandi region of Himachal Pradesh from where around 8 persons have gone missing. Drones are also being used to locate the missing people.
Cloud Burst in Himachal Pradesh & Heavy flood situation.
— Crypto Aman (@cryptoamanclub) August 1, 2024
Cloudburst wreaks havoc in Himachal Pradesh's Nirmand, Mandi and Kullu, 40 missing…one body found.#HimachalPradesh #CloudBurst pic.twitter.com/f2uk0d2dLJ
Furthermore, road connectivity has also been disrupted in the impacted districts. According to State Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, four motorable bridges and footbridges have been washed away, and rescue activities are in full swing. Additionally, the apple harvest has also been devastated due to heavy rains.
The overflowing Beas River has significantly damaged the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway in various spots.
Beas river of Himachal Pradesh in full rage after overnight heavy rainfall and reports of damage to Malana dam
— Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) August 1, 2024
Churu in Rajasthan recorded 125mm Rainfall till 8:30am today, it's highest 1 day RF ever in August
Dehradun 172mm
Jaipur 156mm
Ambala 141mm
More data soon pic.twitter.com/jICRrtxEaH
According to reports in Kullu, houses in Bhagipul have been damaged, causing an alarm in the Bhuntar area owing to floods from the swelling Parvati River and Malana Khud, which has also impacted the Malana I and Malana II hydropower plants.
The Manali-Chandigarh National Highway has been disrupted in several places due to landslides and flooding, with water from the Beas River entering residences in Pandoh, Mandi. “All educational institutions in the affected regions have been closed as authorities concentrate on rescue and relief efforts,” officials said.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has called an emergency meeting at the secretariat in response to the cloudburst.
बीती रात प्रदेश में कई स्थानों पर बादल फटने की दुखद घटनाओं के बाद सचिवालय में अधिकारियों के साथ आपातकालीन बैठक की जा रही है।
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) August 1, 2024
प्रदेश सरकार बचाव व राहत कार्य में जुटी हुई है। प्रशासन को आवश्यक दिशा-निर्देश दिये गए हैं।
बैठक में राजस्व मंत्री जगत सिंह नेगी जी भी मौजूद हैं। pic.twitter.com/trSPiljZ3J
This is the day after Wayanad district in Kerala experienced a massive disaster on Tuesday, 30th July, as three back-to-back severe landslides washed away four villages- Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha. Approximately 350 homes got demolished and washed away, and 1000s of people were hit as the landslides hit the district between 2 am to 4 am on Tuesday, July 30.
The rescue operations are still underway and so far around 256 people are officially feared dead. The NDRF, SDRF, and the Indian Coast Guard teams, Army teams reached the spot immediately on Tuesday and began the rescue operations. The teams rescued more than 4000 people and sent them to 45 relief camps set up by the government.
The rescue team members, while talking to the media, also confirmed that the dead bodies were recovered in gruesome conditions. According to them, the team members have recovered individual body parts like arms, legs, and heads of some people while the rest of their body is still missing. The disaster has spread fear in the minds of people who are demanding rehabilitation by the government. A detailed report about what led to massive landslides in Wayanad can be read here.
