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Uttarakhand Disaster: 10 Himachali Workers Among 197 Missing, Parents Reach Out to State Govt for Help
Shimla-At least 10 persons hailing from Himachal Pradesh, who worked in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, are missing following the massive flash flood that devasted the Rishiganga hydropower project on February 7, 2021.
These people are among 197 persons still missing or stuck in power project tunnels. So far, 31 bodies have been recovered.
Seven of these missing persons belong to Rampur’s Kinnu and Shingla panchayats, Shimla district. These persons have been identified as Devender Singh, Kailash Chand, Diwan Singh, Ashish, Amit Kumar, Pawan Kumar and Rakesh Kumar. Further, one person from Sirmaur district and one from Kangra district are also missing. These were identified as Gurmeet Verma, Rakesh Kapoor and Jeet Singh Thakur.
Details of one person were awaited. The report was confirmed by the Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, who was approached by panchayats members in Rampur with a plea to help.
“We have spoken to the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, to establish contact with the administration in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, to help trace these missing persons. I would also request the Chief Minister to speak to the Uttarakhand Government regarding this matter,”
Bhardwaj said.
Meanwhile, ecologists, environmentalists, and scientists are now pondering over the possibility of this disaster being man-made due to hydropower projects or climate change. Following this disaster in Chamoli, people in Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, have opened a front against over 50 hydropower projects prosed to be set up in the region. Panchayats have also passed a resolution to not issue NOCs in favour of these projects and to demand cancellation of construction of these projects for the good of the people and the land.
At the same time, the formation of hundreds of small and large lakes in Himachal Pradesh due to the meltdown of glaciers owing to global warming has created more concerns.
It’s pertinent to mention that environmental groups, like Himdhara, had been warning the government of approving a large number of hydropower projects in the state blindly in pursuit of economic growth. The group had been highlighting about severe environmental hazards linked to the construction of these projects, which the government is not ready to admit. As a result of this deliberate neglection, the villagers, rivers, local water sources, farming lands, local wildlife etc. were suffering, the group had reported. Houses of people were destroyed due to seepage of water from tunnels of hydropower projects and they are forced to evacuate, the group had said in one of its reports.
However, the government had been preferring its own opinion over theirs.
What Happened in Chamoli?
According to the statement given by the Union Minister Amit Shah, on February 7, 2021, at about 10 am, an avalanche occurred in the upper catchment of Rishiganga River, a tributary of Alaknanda River in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. It led to a sudden rise in the water level of the Rishiganga River. Due to flash flood on account of rising of water levels in the river Rishiganga, a functional Rishiganga small hydro project of 13.2 MW was washed away. The flash flood also affected the under construction 520 MW NTPC Hydro Power Project downstream at Tapovan on the river Dhauli Ganga.
#WATCH A team ITBP, NDRF, SDRF & other agencies continue to conduct rescue operation inside Tapovan tunnel, Uttarakhand on the third day.
A meeting of all agencies incl senior officials of ITBP, NDRF, Army & local administration called today to decide further course of action pic.twitter.com/Q5oQYm38v6
— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2021
The satellite data (Planet Lab) from February 7, 2021, shows that in the catchment of Rishi Ganga river at the terminus of the glacier at an altitude of 5600 m a landslide triggered a snow avalanche covering approximately 14 sq. km area and causing a flash flood in the downstream of Rishi Ganga River.
For clarity: here is a before (6th Feb) and after (7th Feb) render of @planetlabs imagery showing the glaciated slope that failed #ChamoliDisaster #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/l40uL4bLaY
— Scott Watson (@CScottWatson) February 9, 2021
Initial Damage Reported
As per the available information received from the Government of Uttarakhand, 28 persons have died and persons have been injured so far. As per information, a total of 197 persons are reported missing which includes 139 persons of under-construction project of NTPC, 46 persons of the functional Rishi Ganga Project and 12 villagers. The State Government, however, said that it has gathered this information from different sources and this may change.
Twelve persons from NTPC project have been rescued, who were trapped in a tunnel. Fifteen persons from Rishiganga project have also been rescued. In another tunnel of NTPC project, approximately 25–35 persons are suspected to have been trapped. Rescue operation to evacuate these persons is going on.
State Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 4 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the incident.
Due to washing away of one bridge, 13 villages around the place of the incident have been cut off. In these villages necessary supplies and medical assistance is being provided through helicopters, the government informed.
Status of Relief and Rescue Work
As per the statement given by the Home Minister, ITBP has set up their Control Room and 450 personnel of ITBP with all necessary equipment are engaged in rescue and relief operation. NDRF teams have reached the place of incident and are engaged in rescue and relief operation. Eight teams of Indian Army, including one Engineer Task Force (ETF), are carrying rescue operation at the incident site. One Medical column with two ambulances is also deployed. One diving team of Indian Navy has also reached the incident site for the rescue operation. Five helicopters of Indian Air Force have also been engaged in the rescue operation. A Control Room has been established at Joshimath.
Machines removed more slush from the tunnel the whole night. A joint team of ITBP, NDRF, SDRF and sister agencies entered into the tunnel this morning. The tunnel is still approachable till about 120 meters. More slush and water coming from inside the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/jua1eVnErN
— ITBP (@ITBP_official) February 10, 2021
It was informed that despite adverse conditions at the incident site, search and rescue operation is continuously being carried out. After continuous and tireless efforts since night, Army has cleared debris at the opening of the tunnel to rescue the persons trapped in it.
All the staff of the Central Water Commission deployed in Alaknanda and Ganga Basin up to Haridwar are on alert. One team of Sashtra Seema Bal (SSB) is also deployed at the incident site. Team of Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) /DRDO has also reached the site for surveillance and reconnaissance.
ITBP personnel carrying ration items to Pang village (Cut off due to flash floods) traversing through mountainous terrain in Uttarakhand today.#Himveers pic.twitter.com/5lYjFUSoLg
— ITBP (@ITBP_official) February 9, 2021
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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