Late last night, a cloudburst struck the Samej Khad area of Rampur

Himachal Pradesh Weather Update, Cloudburst Death Toll: A devastating series of cloudburst incidents in Himachal Pradesh has resulted in the death of two individuals and left over 50 people missing. The severe weather events have prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation across the affected regions.

Late last night, a cloudburst struck the Samej Khad area of Rampur in Shimla district, unleashing torrents of water that caused sudden and severe flooding. Rescue efforts are underway, led by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police, and home guards. Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap confirmed that drones are being employed to aid in locating the missing individuals.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has taken immediate action, convening a meeting to assess the situation. He reported that the initial cloudburst occurred around 4:40 AM, resulting in two confirmed fatalities and approximately 50 individuals still unaccounted for. The chief minister indicated that heavy rain is expected to continue over the next 36 hours, which could complicate rescue operations.

In addition to the Rampur incident, another cloudburst was reported in Thaltukhod, within the Padhar subdivision of Mandi district. This event has resulted in one confirmed death and nine people reported missing. The district administration and NDRF teams have been deployed to assist with the situation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been in contact with Chief Minister Sukhu, offering central assistance and the support of the NDRF. Shah assured Sukhu that the central government is committed to providing all necessary resources for the ongoing rescue operations.

Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda has also weighed in, urging all BJP cadres to participate in the relief and rescue efforts. A statement from his office emphasized that Nadda has spoken to both Chief Minister Sukhu and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, directing party workers to engage in aiding those affected.

Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur expressed his concern over the repeated weather-related disasters impacting Himachal Pradesh. Thakur highlighted the significant damages, including the impact on the Malana (First) hydro power project in Kullu district and widespread destruction in Mandi district. He stressed the urgency of focusing on rescue efforts amidst the escalating crisis.

Amid the chaos, alarming visuals have emerged from various parts of Himachal Pradesh, showing the Beas River swollen and surging through valleys and towns, exacerbating the already dire situation.

As the region braces for further rainfall, emergency teams continue to work tirelessly to locate the missing and provide relief to those affected by this catastrophic weather event.

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