Shimla, June 26: Search operations have been intensified to trace 10 people missing since the flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Himachal’s Kangra and Kullu districts, officials said on Thursday.
Two persons died while about 20 were feared swept away due to floods following heavy rains on Wednesday evening but some of the missing people have since been rescued. Authorities have not clarified the number of people rescued.
In Kangra district, around 15-20 workers stationed at a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site were feared swept away following a surge in water level in Manuni Khad in Khaniyara village. Two people died due to the flash flood at the site.
Three people at Rehla Bihal in Kullu district who were washed away in the deluge while trying to take away valuables from their homes are still missing.
Two teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and a team of home guards have been deployed at the spot, while a contingent of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been requisitioned to support the ongoing relief and rescue efforts, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa after visiting the site.
At the hydroelectric project site, six people are missing since the floods, while one person was seen fleeing to a nearby hill to save himself during the floods. His whereabouts are also not yet known but a dedicated team has been sent to find him, the DC said.
The rest have been rescued safely, he said, adding that search and rescue is the first priority.
Some of the missing people hail from Nurpur and Chamba areas of Himachal Pradesh and others from Uttar Pradesh.
BJP national president J P Nadda expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the workers who were swept away due to a sudden increase in water flow in Manuni Khad.
“In this hour of crisis, every BJP worker is dedicated to providing all possible help to the citizens of Devbhoomi. I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the bereaved families,” he said in a statement issued here.
Dharamshala BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma who reached the spot on Thursday said the project site was one km from his village. He said he received a call on Wednesday that the water level had surged and 15-20 people had been swept away.
Sharma said that building sheds for labourers near the drain, and not shifting them when the weather deteriorated to safe areas amounts to negligence and an investigation should be initiated.
Besides, alleging lapses by authorities in ensuring the safety of workers, Sharma raised serious concerns about the negligence of the contractor and the project officials.
He claimed the actual damage to life and property is far greater than what is being reported and only the labour contractor can provide accurate information about the number of missing workers.
All other workers associated with the project have been relocated to a safe area. As of last night, around 250-275 workers were employed at the site, and all have been provided temporary shelter at Ambedkar Bhawan in Khaniyara, officials said.
The MLA also demanded adequate compensation to the family of the deceased.
According to officials, the project work had been suspended due to the rain, and the workers were resting in temporary shelters near the site when floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards the labour colony, sweeping several of them away.
In Kullu district, a search is underway to find three people, including a 14-year-old, who were swept away while trying to retrieve valuables from their homes in the Rehla Bihal area of Sainj.
Deputy Commissioner Torul S Ravesh said the NDRF has joined the rescue operation in Kullu.
She said while the monsoon is an annual feature that tourists can enjoy safely, they should avoid going to low-lying areas and river beds.
Flash floods were also reported from Manali and Banjar in the district.
Heavy rains have caused massive damage in Sainj, Gadsa and Hornagad areas that come under the Banjar assembly constituency in Kullu.
Banjar MLA Surinder Shauri who visited the affected parts said the main road is blocked in Hornagad and electricity and water supply has been disrupted in the village.
Shauri directed the officials of the revenue department to provide relief to those affected by the floods.(PTI)
