Cloudburst claims seven lives in Himachal Pradesh, temple collapses in heavy rain and kills nine

Shimla: In a series of devastating incidents triggered by heavy rainfall and flash floods, Himachal Pradesh has been grappling with immense loss and tragedy. The state has witnessed at least 50 lives lost in the past two days due to these rain-related calamities, with multiple landslides and cloudbursts wreaking havoc across the region.

The most recent incident was in Sambal village, Mandi district, where a flash flood swept away seven individuals. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, visibly concerned, shared a distressing video clip from the affected area, capturing the force of the floodwaters as they surged downhill. The footage encapsulated the urgency of the situation, with the person behind the camera audibly expressing shock and disbelief.

"Disturbing visuals have emerged from Sambhal, Pandoh - District Mandi, where, as reported, seven individuals have been swept away by flash floods today. Active rescue, search, and relief operations are currently in progress to address this dreadful situation," Chief Minister Sukhu conveyed on Twitter.

This recent tragedy follows closely on the heels of two other major rain-related disasters. In one incident, a cloudburst in Solan district led to the loss of seven lives, while a landslide at a Shiv Temple in Summer Hill area of Shimla city claimed the lives of nine individuals. These incidents, all transpiring within a span of 24 hours, have heightened concerns over the state's vulnerability to unpredictable weather conditions.

In response to these tragedies, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhu has issued urgent appeals for public safety. He strongly advised residents to stay indoors and refrain from venturing near drainage systems or rivers. He also cautioned against inhabiting landslide-prone areas. Furthermore, he urged tourists to avoid visiting the state during this critical period to ensure their safety.

More than 700 roads have been closed due to landslides triggered by incessant rain, and a critical segment of the National Highway connecting Shimla and Chandigarh has been repeatedly affected by landslides, leading to vehicles being stranded along the highway. This extensive road closure has also resulted in the shutdown of schools, colleges, and other educational institutions to ensure student safety.

The grim situation has been attributed to a fresh spell of Western Disturbance, said Indian Meteorological Department.

The monsoon's fury has had far-reaching financial implications, with the state suffering a staggering loss of Rs 7,020.28 crore due to the ongoing deluge. As the region battles these tragedies, the state government, alongside various agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), is actively engaged in rescue and relief operations to mitigate further loss and damage.

The relentless heavy rains have not only wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh but have also affected neighboring Uttarakhand.