Loss of lives and missing persons in rain-hit Himachal "extremely distressing": Priyanka Gandhi as she urges govt to ensure maximum safety

New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday called the situation in rain-hit Himachal Pradesh "extremely distressing" as she expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and property and urged the government to act with caution by taking weather warnings seriously and prioritising rescue and relief efforts.
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi offered her condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and prayed for the safe return of those still missing due to landslides and flash floods.

हिमाचल प्रदेश में भारी बारिश की वजह से कई जिलों में जान-माल के नुकसान और कई लोगों के लापता होने का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है।

ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्माओं को शांति प्रदान करें। शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। लापता लोगों के सकुशल होने की कामना करती हूं।

राहत एवं बचाव कार्य…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 26, 2025

"The news of loss of life and property, and several people going missing due to heavy rainfall in many districts of Himachal Pradesh is extremely distressing. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the grieving families. I pray for the safe return of those who are missing. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing. I appeal to the government to take the weather department's warnings into account and exercise utmost caution and vigilance to ensure maximum safety," She wrote on X.
Earlier in the day, Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and property due to heavy rainfall in several districts of Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed that at least five people have lost their lives and several remain missing following a cloudburst that triggered flash floods and widespread destruction in Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking to ANI, CM Sukhu confirmed five deaths and five missing."So far, we have confirmation of five people who have died due to the rains and flash floods. Three persons are reported missing in the Kullu district. Rescue operations are ongoing," he said.
He added that significant damage occurred in the Dharamshala region of Kangra and in parts of the Himalayan belt, due to a cloudburst.
"The damage is concentrated in areas where our Himalayas rise steeply. After the cloudburst, three people were confirmed dead, and five are missing. One person was earlier believed to be missing but was later found safe. He had moved into the forest near the roadside," the Chief Minister said.
A major incident was also reported in Kullu's Sainj sub-tehsil, where a cloudburst near Jeeva Nalla on Wednesday afternoon swept away four houses. The incident occurred around 1:41 PM downstream of the Jiwa Trench Weir in Majhan Nallah, leading to a sharp rise in the water level of the Sainj River.
According to a situation report issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at 5:10 PM, two to three people were feared missing after being washed into the Jeeva Nalla. The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), Kullu, confirmed the cloudburst and noted the resulting rise in river levels due to increased inflow.
the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and West Uttar Pradesh from June 25 to July 1. (ANI)