Himachal Pradesh Floods: After the incessant rains triggered flash floods in Dharmshala, the central and state teams have so far rescued over 250 people in a major operation, officials said.

Kangra Superintendent of Police (SP) Shalini Agnihotri said that the flash floods had swept several individuals away, which prompted immediate search and rescue operations by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police.

She said, "Some people were swept away in the flash floods. Yesterday, SDRF, local police, and Himachal Pradesh Home Guard volunteers conducted a search and rescue operation in which 250 people were successfully rescued and two bodies were recovered."

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She further added, "Today, NDRF also joined the local police at these spots. Three more bodies were recovered today. Out of the total, four bodies have been identified. Three people are missing. One survivor has been rescued from the forest," She said.

"Today, the situation is better because apart from the 250 people of these groups, no other missing persons have been reported," she added.

As the natural disaster struck the state, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday directed all Deputy Commissioners of the State to remain alert and ensure 24/7 availability for the public to deal with the unfolding situation efficiently, taking into account the adverse weather conditions.

According to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), while reviewing the situation in the State with district administrations virtually from Shimla today, CM Sukkhu asked all DCs to conduct relief and rehabilitation operations for affected individuals on a war-footing basis.

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The CM also instructed the DCs to identify individuals or families, particularly migrant labourers, living close to the banks of rivers, khads, and nullahs and relocate them to safe places.

As tourist influx remains high in the state, he also instructed them to issue advisories warning tourists and locals against venturing near rivers and nullahs during the rainy season.

Amid the develooment of devastation situation in the state due to heavy rainfall, the IMD has issued an orange alert for more spells of heavy rainfall, prompting safety concerns for residents and tourists alike  

(With ANI Inputs)