Shimla: Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to assess the situation following a cloudburst that caused significant disruption in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts. The Union Home Minister assured the Chief Minister of providing central assistance and the support of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhu held a meeting with officials regarding search and rescue operations following the cloudburst in the state, where more than 50 people are missing and two bodies have been recovered so far.
"We held a meeting here. The cloudburst incident took place around 4:40 a.m. Around 50 people are missing. 2 bodies have been recovered. Heavy rain is expected in the next 36 hours. The DC, SDRF, and NDRF teams have reached the spot. I have also spoken to the Union Home Minister," said CM Sukhu.
Taking to the social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote, "Very sad news has been received about more than 50 people missing due to a cloudburst in Rampur tehsil of Shimla, Padhar tehsil of Mandi district and Jaon, Nirmand villages of Kullu. Teams of NDRF, SDRF, Police, Home Guard and Fire Services are engaged in relief, search and rescue operations. The local administration has been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations smoothly. I am in touch with the officials and monitoring the relief and rescue operations. The state government is committed to providing all possible assistance."
Notably, the water level in the Beas River has increased due to heavy rains in the region.
