Himachal Pradesh Faces Extensive Damage from Flash Floods

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri assessed extensive damages to water supply schemes caused by flash floods in Kullu and Shimla districts. A Rs 315 crore project suffered significant losses, and emergency efforts are underway to restore services. Six lives were lost, and 47 people remain missing.

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri conducted an on-site assessment of the extensive damage caused by the flash flood to the Kurpan Khad Water Supply Scheme at Baagi Pul in Kullu district on Friday. He revealed that the Rs 315 crore Kurpan Khad project, currently under construction, had suffered severe damage and directed the department to take immediate measures to restore the project.

Expressing concern over the significant loss of approximately Rs 10 crore incurred by the Jal Shakti Vibhag in Baagi Pul due to the disaster, Agnihotri praised the tireless efforts of the department's officials and employees in restoring the water supply schemes. The Deputy CM also visited Matiyana in Shimla district to assess damages to water supply schemes and related infrastructure, reporting an additional Rs 10 crore in damages to critical components including the booster, intake structure, feed line sump well, pump house, pumping machinery, and pipes.

Agnihotri noted that in the Rampur area, 19 water supply schemes and a sewerage line suffered a loss of Rs 7.50 crore, with four schemes still under construction. He reported that 10 schemes have been restored and efforts are ongoing to restore the remaining five. He also met with families affected by the disaster in Baagi Pul, describing the situation as 'grim and painful' and assuring that the administration is diligently providing relief. The Deputy CM emphasized that the government is extending all possible support to those affected.

Earlier reports indicated that a total of six people have lost their lives, and 47 are still missing after a cloudburst and subsequent flash floods in the Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla regions. The Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operation Centre provided a situation report, showing that Mandi witnessed the most casualties with five, followed by Kullu with one. Shimla has reported no casualties but has the highest number of missing people at 33.

The catastrophic incident prompted extensive rescue and relief efforts led by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. The District Disaster Management Authority received information about the cloudburst near the hydropower project in Samej Khad in the early hours of Thursday. Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap reported that NDRF, SDRF, police, and rescue teams were immediately deployed to the site.