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.
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.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lalduhoma thanked the workers of the power and electricity department for risking their safety and ensuring the restoration of electricity in households.
"We are to face the Southwest Monsoon. IMD have predicted normal rainfall during this monsoon. However, the Southwest monsoon helps with underground water. (But) Heavy rainfall, flash floods in the Western Ghats, Nilgiris, affect the region, and we need to face this. Coastal Districts also s