Cloudbursts occur in Mandi, Shimla and Kullu; around 50 people missing, two bodies recovered: CM Sukhu

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 1 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Thursday that cloudbursts occurred in Mandi, Shimla and Kullu districts today after which around 50 people are missing and two bodies have been recovered.
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, "Cloudburst occurred today. Around 50 people are missing, 2 bodies have been recovered. NDRF, SDRF, DCs and officials are present at the spot. We have instructed the officials to make all arrangements. We have also sought help from the army. I appeal to people not to go near canals and rivers. The Air Force has been asked to be ready. I will also go to the spot as soon as the weather clears."
He further stated that in the next 36 hours further rainfall is expected. He said that he has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the latter has assured all possible help.
He further said, "The Union Home Minister has assured all possible help and said that 2 additional NDRF teams are being sent. BJP chief Nadda also called twice and said that Prime Minister Modi is also worried. I have also spoken to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi. I have said that the situation is under control, but roads and infrastructure have been damaged. Manali has lost connectivity."
He said that the relief work is being conducted on a war footing.
Sources said that Prime Minster Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the situation in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh in the wake of heavy rains and a cloudburst and has asked top officials to ensure all possible assistance is provided to the affected.
Additional Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Onkar Chand Sharma said that an alert of heavy rain has been issued till August 2.
Onkar Chand Sharma said, "We issued an alert of 36 hours last evening which will continue till tomorrow. The first incident of cloudburst was reported in Kullu where 7 people are missing and 11 houses have been damaged. The second incident was reported in Mandi where we found 1 body and 9 people missing and 3 to 4 houses have been washed out. The third incident was reported in Shimla where 1 person died and 36 people are missing."
He further said that overall 15 houses have been damaged in the three incidents and one national highway is also closed.
He further said, "Our teams of SDRF, NDRF and police have been deployed in the region. Our team is carrying out relief and rescue operations. We have issued an alert of heavy rain till tomorrow morning (August 2). But we will issue more alerts as per the data of IMD."
He added that CM Sukhu conducted a meeting for two and half hours and was going to leave to assess the situation but due to bad weather his helicopter could not take off.
The Indian Army has mobilised its resources in response to recent natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
Following cloudbursts and small-scale landslides in various locations, the districts of Shimla and Mandi have been significantly affected.
The Indian Army has promptly mobilised its assets for rescue operations and the Indian Army's three columns, with a total strength of 125 personnel, one Engineer Task Force and one Medical Team consisting of 20 personnel, have been deployed at the cloudburst site of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh. (ANI)