Flash Floods Wreak Havoc in Himachal Pradesh, NDRF Rescues One Body

Strategic Insights -

Floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu and Kangra districts have led to a massive search operation, with the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) recovering the body of a 13-year-old girl on the third day of the search. The flood had struck on June 26, sweeping away three people from a hydropower project site in Manuni Khad in Khanyara. Six bodies have been recovered and identified, with two persons still missing. The weather department has issued an orange alert for Sunday, predicting heavy rainfall in several districts. The state government has decided to set up an emergency response centre in each of the 3,645 panchayats to ensure an effective response in the event of natural disasters.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NDRF team recovered the body of 13-year-old Murti Devi near Bakshahal area in the third day of the search operation.
  • Three people had gone missing in a flash flood in Raila Bihal area of Sainj valley in Kullu district on June 26.
  • Six bodies have been recovered and identified by the search team, with two persons still missing.
  • The Himachal Pradesh council of ministers approved the setting up of an emergency response centre in each of the 3,645 panchayats to improve disaster response.
  • The weather department has issued an orange alert for Sunday, predicting heavy rainfall in several districts.
  • The NDRF team is conducting a search operation in Bakshahal area, with all three missing persons believed to be together.
  • Dharamshala SDM Mohit Rattan said the process to extend immediate relief to the family of the deceased was also complete.

Statistics:

  • 75% of the NDRF search team is looking for the remaining two missing persons upstream in the search operation.
  • 25% of the NDRF search team is searching downstream.
  • Heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Sirmaur, and Solan districts.
  • Heavy rainfall is predicted for Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, and Mandi districts.
  • Isolated thunderstorms or lightning have been predicted over the low hills and mid-hills of the state from June 28 to 29.

Sources:

  • *TNN* (no date or publication date)
  • Kullu deputy commissioner Torul S Raveesh
  • Dharamshala SDM Mohit Rattan
  • The Himachal Pradesh council of ministers
  • The weather department