Kullu: Cloudbursts and flash floods struck pats of Kullu, Shimla, and Lahaul-Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday.Bagipul Bazaar in Nirmand sub-division of Kullu district was evacuated after a flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst in Shrikhand Mahadev mountains, struck Kurpan rivulet. According to officials, the cloudburst struck near Bheemdwari, which falls on the route to the summit of Shrikhand Mahadev.Another flash flood, also caused by a cloudburst, hit above Batahar village in Banjar sub-division of Kullu district on Wednesday evening, sweeping away three vehicles and damaging four cottages and agricultural land. The flash flood raised the water level of the Tirthan river as the Kullu administration evacuated all the low-lying areas downstream.Kullu deputy commissioner Torul S Raveesh said affected areas were immediately evacuated. “Two cloudbursts were reported from Bagipul and Batahar areas of Kullu district. We evacuated areas that fell downstream, both in Bagipul and Batahar. There were some losses to property, but no loss of life has been reported,” said the DC.In Lahaul-Spiti, flash floods struck Dhodhan, Changut, Udgos, and Karpat villages, causing damage to houses and agricultural land. In Karpat, residents had a narrow escape as the flash flood struck near the village, and gushing torrents of floodwater crossed within a few feet of the houses. The flood debris, including boulders and muck, entered four houses, and some of the village houses were partially damaged.According to district officials, no loss of life was reported in the flash floods. Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana said in a social media post that it had been decided to keep all schools closed for next few days in Miyar valley. “There is no news of any casualties, and we have spoken to locals. All villagers are in safe locations. There are reports that the Changut and Udgos bridges have been washed away. The administration and departments have been instructed to visit the site in the morning and assess the situation,” said Rana.Many other rivulets, including the Jahlama nullah, were also in spate in Lahaul-Spiti.In Shimla, a cloudburst in Nanti area of Rampur triggered a flash flood. According to officials, no loss of life was reported. An official said two bridges, a few shops, and a police chowki were washed away in the flash flood downstream Ganvi village. Road connectivity to Ganvi was also lost as the motorable bridge was washed away in the flash flood. Floodwater entered many houses and shops, and electricity supply was disrupted. According to officials, all houses in Ganvi village in Rampur have been vacated. An official said that a bus and an ambulance also got stuck on the other side of the Ganvi rivulet due to an increase in the water level.BOXES Man drowns after fall from temporary bridgeA man drowned after he fell into a rivulet while crossing a temporary bridge in the Jarol area of Mandi district on Wednesday.The victim was identified as Puran Chand, a resident of Bhanwas village. According to officials, Puran fell into the rivulet after his feet slipped. Due to the strong current, he was swept away for about 100 meters.Local residents acted promptly, forming a human chain to pull him out of the stream. He was taken to the civil hospital in Janjehli, where doctors declared him dead. According to locals, a permanent and safe bridge should be constructed to prevent such incidents in the future.323 roads blockedIn related news, 323 roads remained blocked throughout Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, with the highest number being 179 in Mandi district, 70 in Kullu, 25 in Kangra, 13 in Chamba, 11 in Sirmaur, 9 in Shimla, and 7 each in Una and Lahaul Spiti districts. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), 130 water supply schemes and 79 transformers also remained disrupted in the state on Thursday. MSID:: 123283083 413 |