Himachal Pradesh cloudburst: Indian Army builds temporary bridges to carry out restoration work

Rampur (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 4 (ANI): The rescue and search operation is underway in the areas affected by the cloudburst that occurred on Thursday in Rampur’s Samej.

Teams of the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, Home Guard, and CISF have been deployed to carry out the restoration operation in the area.

Also, on Sunday, the Army constructed temporary bridges to establish connectivity between areas cut off to facilitate rescue operations.

Meanwhile, speaking about the experience of being rescued, Ravindra Kumar told ANI, “We are coming from Sarpara village; the road has been cut off due to cloudburst and hence we have to come by foot… It was good (the bridge was established by the Indian Army). It helped us cross.”

Rampur SDM Nishant Tomar mentioned that as many as four villages are still not connected by road and a temporary bridge has been built to carry out restoration work. He further added that road restoration work in Sarpara village is underway.

“There are 4 villages that are still not connected by road. The Indian Army has built a temporary bridge here so that people can get help. The work of road restoration in Sarpara village is ongoing. Food materials are being provided to the affected families. People have been told not to go near rivers and streams,” said Rampur SDM Nishant Tomar.

The Home Guard Commandant, RP Nepta, informed ANI about the rescue operation that recommenced at 7 am in Rampur’s Samej. He stated that five JCBs have been deployed today and various teams have been trying to coordinate to recover the maximum number of bodies.

“It is the fourth day today. Yesterday there was a review meeting. Today, we will work on war footing. Five JCBs have been deployed here. Task forces have been assigned different roles here. The search operation commenced at 7 am today. I am hoping that we will recover bodies today. Local people have told us where we can possibly find bodies. We will conduct search operations over there as well. We are also building a bridge,” said the Home Guard Commandant.