A cloudburst in Jumma Village of Pithoragarh on Monday. Around seven people are assumed to be dead due to the calamity after their houses were hit by debris and muck following a cloudburst. Four bodies have been recovered, said Pithoragarh district magistrate Ashish Chauhan.
“The disaster occurred in Jamri and Tarkot hamlets in Jumma village when heavy rains led to debris and muck hitting the houses. So far, four bodies have been recovered and the state disaster response force team is searching for other missing persons,” he said. The affected village is around 125 km from the district headquarters.“We are convening an emergency meeting on how to tackle the situation and more information will be available after the meeting,” said the DM.
“We have surveyed the village by helicopter and sent SDRF and NDRF teams along with police and revenue teams to run relief and rescue work in the affected villages,” Chauhan said.
Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) personnel were the first ones to reach the site and start search and rescue operations. SSB commandant MP Singh said among the deceased are three children from Jamuni hamlet.
“We have set up a helipad for officials and rescuers to reach there. We are also sending a medical team to the village to treat the injured,” he said.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to Pithoragarh DM and Kumaon commissioner Sushil Kumar, instructing them that those affected be shifted to safer areas and all arrangements for essential food supplies and medicines be made.