Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Cloudburst Tragedy: 50 Feared Dead

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 3: After devastating cloudbursts hit various areas of Himachal Pradesh, including Samej, state minister Vikramaditya Singh reported that around 50 people are feared dead. The official number will be confirmed after rescue operations are completed.

Minister Singh emphasized that the state government’s top priority is to retrieve the bodies and restore connectivity in the affected areas. He stated, “The main priority of the government is to retrieve the bodies from the site, as the catchment area of the destruction spot is huge. Apart from it, Government is making all efforts to restore the connectivity in affected areas as soon as possible. It is being feared that around 50 deaths have taken place, but it can only be officially confirmed after the rescue operations.”

The government has announced Rs 50,000 as immediate relief to the affected families, with more compensation to follow. Singh added, “Chief Minister Sukhu has also spoken to Home Minister Amit Shah regarding this. We should get support from the Centre too, and we are demanding the same from the Government…As an immediate relief, CM has announced Rs 50,000 for all affected families. In the time to come, they will provide help for repair too.”

Rescue operations involve personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Home Guard. Singh explained, “A cloudburst occurred 2-3 days back over the Shrikhand mountain top. Due to this, areas in Rampur and Kullu have faced massive destruction. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also visited the area. He took stock of the situation and briefed the officials. We have started setting up Bailey bridges at various locations. Police personnel are being deployed at various places. Administration is coordinating with everyone. NDRF, SDRF, State Police, Home Guard jawans are carrying out rescue operations together.”

Earlier, the Indian Army launched extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Samej village. The road to the incident site was blocked due to a land shift, but the Army’s Engineer Task Force repaired it. The Army also constructed an improvised footbridge to facilitate rescue operations.