Himachal rains: Over 50 dead in landslides and cloudburst, rescue operation underway

In devastation unheard of in the state, the death toll in rain-related incidents has crossed 50 in Himachal Pradesh in the past 24 hours, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday. 

Sukhu said the death and destruction caused by incessant rainfall in Himachal in unprecedented. He said it has never happened that over 50 people have been killed in just 24 hours. He said the numbers could rise as many people are still trapped.

Heavy rainfall has been lashing Himachal that has triggered rain-related incidents such as landslides, mudslides, flash-floods, and cloudbursts. The state capital Shimla and Mandi have emerged as the worst-hit districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for the state for Monday and had predicted rainfall above 204.4 mm. 

The incessant rains and resultant deaths and destruction have dampened the Independence Day celebrations in Himachal



and CM Sukhu has cancelled all cultural events. He said only ceremonial flag-hoisting will take place and all police and disaster response personnel engaged in Independence Day duties have been pressed into relief and rescue work. 

Out of over 50 deaths, 12 have been reported in two incidents in Shimla and 19 people died in Mandi, which has emerged as the worst-hit district. 

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state has never seen such death and destruction. 

It has never happened that over 50 people have died in 24 hours, said Sukhu after holding a high-powered meeting. 

"Never in our history, we have had such rains that more than people died. In 24 hours, 50 deaths have happened and the number could rise as 20 people are still trapped. This tells us that the state would take time time to emerge from such ravages of rain," said Sukhu.