Himachal Flash Floods Result in Five Deaths; Search Intensifies for Six Missing Individuals

Three more bodies were found on Thursday at a hydro project site in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, raising the death toll to five after flash floods struck the area. Officials have intensified search efforts to locate six individuals still missing since cloudbursts triggered the floods in Kangra and Kullu districts on Wednesday. Two bodies had been recovered earlier on Wednesday.

Lovely, a resident of Chamba district, was rescued from a forest near the project site. Lovely recounted that there were 13 people in the camp; five managed to escape towards the hills, while others were swept away by the floodwaters. Daya Kishan, a labourer, said they saw the floods approaching and shouted warnings before fleeing to safety.

Search Operations Intensified Amidst Challenging Conditions

NDRF Commandant Baljinder Singh stated that efforts are ongoing to trace those feared swept away from the project site during the floods. Joint search teams from NDRF, SDRF, police, and Home Guards are involved in the operation. However, challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions have complicated their efforts.

In Kullu district's Rehla Bihal area, three more individuals remain unaccounted for. Approximately 15-20 workers were feared swept away at a makeshift labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site after water levels surged at Manuni Khad in Khaniyara village on Wednesday evening.

Authorities Respond to Crisis as Rescue Efforts Continue

Deputy Commissioner Torul S Ravesh confirmed that NDRF has joined rescue operations in Kullu. She advised tourists to avoid low-lying areas and riverbeds. Flash floods were also reported in Manali and Banjar, with some tourists stranded due to road blockages in remote parts of Kullu district.

BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma visited the site on Thursday and highlighted potential negligence by authorities and contractors. He noted that workers were sheltered near a stream without being moved to safer areas despite worsening weather conditions. Sharma called for an investigation into these lapses.

Impact on Local Infrastructure and Communities

Banjar MLA Surinder Shauri reported significant damage in Sainj, Gadsa, and Hornagad areas within his constituency. The main road in Hornagad is blocked, and electricity and water supply have been disrupted. Heavy rains have caused extensive damage across these regions.

Officials mentioned that around 250-275 workers were present at the site as of Wednesday night. They have been provided temporary shelter at Ambedkar Bhawan in Khaniyara after project work was suspended due to rain. Floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards them, sweeping several away.

The deceased have been identified as Chain Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, Aditya Thakur from Chamba, Sanjay from Nurpur, Pardeep Verma, and Chandan from Uttar Pradesh. Some missing individuals hail from Nurpur and Chamba areas of Himachal Pradesh, while others are from Uttar Pradesh.

Community Support Amidst Tragedy

BJP president J P Nadda expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the workers. "In this hour of crisis, every BJP worker is dedicated to providing all possible help to the citizens of Devbhoomi," he stated. "I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the bereaved families."

The search continues for three people, including a 14-year-old, who remain missing after being swept away by floods at Rehla Bihal in Kullu district. Authorities are working tirelessly amidst challenging conditions to locate them.

With inputs from PTI