Shimla Police Continue Search Operations Amid Heavy Rain and Flood Alerts

Shimla Police intensify search operations in flood-hit areas as heavy rain persists. With 55 missing and significant infrastructural damages, the state remains on high alert. Chief Minister Sukhu criticizes previous policies and emphasizes the need for urgent assistance from the Union government.

Shimla Police have intensified search and retrieval operations across multiple locations, extending from the Samej village to the Sunni area along the Satluj river. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 55 people have been missing since August 1, including 33 from Samej and the Bagipul area in Shimla and Kullu districts.

Furthermore, 128 roads have been closed, alongside disruptions in 44 electricity schemes and 67 water schemes. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall, prompting an orange alert across the state for the next 24 hours.

On August 9, heavy rain and floods inflicted a devastating loss of Rs 900 crore to the state's Irrigation and Public Health (IPH), Public Works Department (PWD), and road infrastructure. In light of the disaster, the state government has placed all districts on high alert for rain and potential natural calamities until September.

As rescue efforts persist, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lamented the Union government's lack of immediate aid while noting assurances of future assistance. CM Sukhu stated that search operations would continue to help families hoping to recover the bodies of their lost ones, adding that 33 people remain missing.

With high alert measures extended until September, the Chief Minister assured that officials and deputy commissioners are conducting daily meetings to manage the crisis. He criticized the previous administration for inadequate policies, particularly in water usage by large hotels. "The previous government was so insensitive; they did not charge big hotels for water bills," Sukhu remarked.

"We have now mandated charging per kilolitre from them, even in rural areas. The revenue collected will be used to supply clean drinking water to rural regions," he added.

(With inputs from agencies.)