Search for missing people continues in cloud burst-hit Himachal

The search for the five people who went missing after they were hit by flash floods in Himachal Pradesh continues.

Eight tourists from Punjab were travelling to Shimla district's Sunni area in a car when they were hit by flash floods due to the cloudburst and washed away into the Sutlej River on May 11. Three of the eight were saved by locals.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was pressed into service on Friday to search for the remaining five.

All road links to the area have been cut and water and electricity supply in nearby areas have also been hampered due to the cloudburst.

Rescue teams toiled to clear debris off the roads as many areas were affected by the flash floods.

President of the Himachal unit of ruling Congress party's youth wing, Vikramaditya Singh, visited the site and took stock of the situation.

"A search operation was started with the joint team of Revenue, Police, Home Guard and Civil Defence. And joint team gave the information to the District Disaster Management Authority that possibility of finding the five missing bodies cannot be ruled out without carrying complete search operations as per the SOPs (Standard Operation Procedure) of the NDRF team," said Singh.

The meteorological department had reportedly predicted heavy rainfall and thunderstorm especially in high and mid-altitude areas. An alert was also issued regarding the same.