A Devastating Cloudburst and Relief Efforts
On the night of July 31st, a severe cloudburst struck the Srikhand Mahadev Mountain in the Rampur Tehsil of Shimla and Kullu districts. The resulting deluge split into four destructive streams, wreaking havoc on the villages of Samej, Ganvi, Kedas, and Bagipul.
By 3 a.m., the catastrophe had claimed over 50 homes and displaced a similar number of residents according to official records. The ongoing Srikhand Yatra compounded the situation, as many pilgrims and visitors remain unaccounted for. Samej village bore the brunt of the disaster, suffering the highest casualties. While other villages were alerted, they too experienced significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
In response to urgent appeals for assistance, the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Shimla initiated relief efforts on August 2nd. Recognizing the immediate needs of the homeless villagers, The Mission provided essential supplies including a month’s worth of groceries, cooking utensils, and bedding for 50 families. Despite the remote location of the affected villages, approximately 200 km from Shimla, The Mission swiftly procured and distributed these items. The Mission’s focus was on aiding those who had lost their homes, with 36 families in Samej, 7 in Ganvi, and 7 in Kedas receiving support.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of this disaster.
