Himachal Pradesh Flash Floods: Death Toll Rises to 28 as Search Operations Continue

The death toll from flash floods in Himachal Pradesh has reached 28, with rescuers continuing their search for about 30 missing individuals. The disaster primarily struck the districts of Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla. Despite exhaustive search efforts, families of the missing have lost hope as the region braces for further heavy rains.

The death toll in the flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh’s three districts on July 31 midnight has risen to 28, according to officials.

As the search operation entered its ninth day, families of about 30 missing individuals have lost hope of finding their loved ones alive.

The disaster affected Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts. The worst-hit area was Samej village on the Shimla-Kullu border, where about 20 people are still missing.

Four bodies were found in Dogri near Sunni Dam, one near Nogli in Shimla, and another near Bagipul in Kullu.

Of the 28 deceased, 15 were recovered from Rampur in Shimla, nine from Mandi’s Rajbhan village, and four from Nirmand/Bagipul in Kullu.

Families of the 30 missing people, camping at disaster sites since the tragedy struck, have now lost hope and are praying for recovery of bodies to perform last rites.

Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi noted that chances of recovering more bodies are slim as the searched area has been largely washed out.

An orange alert has been issued by the local meteorological office for heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning in isolated state areas on Saturday.

513 rescuers from various agencies including the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, CISF, Himachal Pradesh Police, and home guards are engaged in the search operations.

Additional machinery, sniffer dog squads, drones, and other equipment have also been deployed.

Over 100 people have died in rain-related incidents and the state has incurred losses of about Rs 842 crore from June 27 to August 9, officials said.