Search operations in Himachal Pradesh continue for fifth day

The search for people missing in the recent cloudburst incidents in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh continues for the fifth day today. Search operations in these disaster affected areas had resumed this morning. During the search operation today, two more bodies were recovered from Dogri near Sunni in Shimla district. According to Superintendent of Police Shimla Sanjeev Gandhi, both the bodies have not been identified. Our correspondent reports, about 40 people are still missing in cloudburst incidents at different places in the state. Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said that the search operation is going on at a fast pace and the rescue teams at the spot had inspected 40 percent of the debris till yesterday. He said that the help of 8 LNT machines is being taken in the search operation.

In Kullu district, the Kullu-Manali National Highway, which was closed near Raison and Cloth due to rising water level of Beas River, was opened for vehicular movement last evening. District Deputy Commissioner Torul S. Ravish said that 15 local people have been evacuated safely from Malana. She said that the maximum damage due to this disaster has occurred in Samej and Bagi Pul villages. The Deputy Commissioner said that now 11 people are missing in the district and the rescue operation is going on.

At the same time, due to floods in Changut and Udgaus drains of Tingrath and Karpat in Mayad valley of Lahaul Spiti district, the bridge has been washed away. Due to which the village in the valley has lost contact with other places. Crops have also been damaged due to this disaster. There is also information about two vehicles being swept away at the spot due to flooding in the Chicham drain of the district late in the evening. According to preliminary reports, there is no news of loss of life or property. SDM Kaza Amarinder Singh said that revenue and police teams have reached the spot and the work of restoration of the road is in progress to rescue the stranded vehicles. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert of heavy rain in the state for the next four days.