Seven killed in cloudburst in Himachal's Solan, two houses washed away

Seven people were killed following a cloudburst at Jadon village in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan, officials said on Monday. Incessant showers in Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours have triggered landslides, blocking several roads, including the Shimla-Chandigarh road which was closed for buses and trucks. Taking to X, formerly knows as Twitter, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “Devastated to hear about the loss of 7 precious lives in the tragic cloud burst incident at Village Jadon, Dhawla Sub-Tehsil in Solan District. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families. We share in your pain and sorrow during this difficult time.” “We have directed the authorities to ensure all possible assistance and support to the affected families during this trying period,” he added. Siddhartha Acharya, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kandaghat, said two houses and one cowshed were also washed away in the cloudburst. He said five people have  been rescued and three are still missing, adding, a rescue operation is underway. Meanwhile, in view of the incessant rains, the the Himachal Pradesh University has cancelled all the ongoing examinations of Post Graduate classes scheduled on 14 August. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has taken this decision in view of the safety of the students due to heavy rains. On the orders of the Chief Minister, the Education Secretary has issued a notification to keep all government, private schools and colleges closed on 14 August. The CM has instructed the chief secretary, home secretary as well as all DCs to keep a close watch on the situation created due to heavy rains. The administrative staff should be alert and maintain smooth arrangements for roads, electricity and water, he said. Earlier on 10 August, five family members who went missing after the cloudburst in Sirmaur were found buried under debris. “DEOC Sirmour informed that an incident of cloud burst occurred at village Malagi Dadiyat, Aauli, Tehsil Paonta Sahib, District Sirmaur due to this incident, five family members of Kuldeep Kamar are missing,” State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said in a bulletin. With inputs from agencies