(NDTV)
Two people have died and at least 50 others are missing after cloudbursts at three places in Himachal Pradesh this morning. The three cloudbursts caused major damage at Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu.
In Shimla, where at least 20 people were reported missing, the district administration said the disaster management authority received information about a cloudburst near a hydroelectric power project at Samej Khad early today. A disaster response team has been rushed to the spot and top officials, including Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and district police chief Sanjeev Gandhi, are on their way.
The cloudburst has hit road connectivity in the area, so the rescue teams are trying to hike to the affected site. Cloudbursts have taken place in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi too, about 125 km from Shimla. An order issued by Mandi deputy commissioner Apoorv Devgan has said cloudbursts in Rajban village near Muhal Terang has led to road blockades and landslides.
“Under these circumstances, movement of staff, school and college children, and trainees may not be safe and should be restricted,” the Deputy Commissioner said, announcing that all educational institutions and vocational training centres in Padhar subdivision must remain shut.
