Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday has directed all the Deputy Commissioners of the State to stay alert and ensure 24/7 availability for the public to deal with the unfolding situation efficiently, keeping in view the adverse weather conditions.
According to an Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Shilpi Beakta, Rescue teams have so far recovered multiple bodies and managed to save one person alive.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Himachal Pradesh starting June 29, with warnings of potential flash floods, rising river levels, and landslides in several districts.
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, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed on Thursday.
A private power project in Siund and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation's (NHPC) power project suffered heavy losses due to a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in the Siund of Sainj Valley in Kullu on Wednesday
However, with reduced rainfall in the last 24 hours, the inflow into the river system eased, allowing the water level in the Pandoh Dam to drop gradually, bringing relief to local residents and administration.
Two fatalities were confirmed, six individuals are missing amid heavy rainfall and rising water levels, near the Manuni stream in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district.
The rainfall activity was triggered by a trough at mean sea level stretching from East Uttar Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh and a cyclonic circulation over northeast Assam at about 0.9 km above sea level.
The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), led by Incident Commander and Additional Deputy Commissioner Lalrinzuala, convened an emergency meeting to coordinate relief and response efforts.