Can Hope Prevail? An Incredible Survival Story of a Baby Amid Himachal's Monsoon Chaos!

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), July 7 (NationPress) The devastating flash floods, caused by a series of relentless cloudbursts, have wreaked havoc across numerous villages in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, obliterating everything in their wake.

The youngest victim of this disaster is an 11-month-old baby girl, the sole survivor of her family, who yearns for her mother’s embrace to feel secure and at ease amid the destruction.

A week following this calamity, which has become increasingly common in the hilly state each monsoon due to unregulated infrastructure development, rescuers are tirelessly working and putting their lives on the line to restore normalcy in the flood-ravaged communities.

One of the affected villages is Talwara in Parwada panchayat, which was struck by the flood early on July 1, leading to the loss of the baby’s parents and grandmother.

Witnesses report that the infant was asleep in the house when disaster struck.

Her father Ramesh, mother Radha, and grandmother Purnu Devi had gone outside, leaving the sleeping child behind to redirect the rushing waters, from which they were ultimately swept away.

In the morning, the heartbreaking wails of the baby echoed through the village, prompting locals to check on her and alert the authorities upon realizing her tragic circumstance.

Currently, a video capturing Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Samritika Negi cradling the child has gone viral, resonating with many hearts.

The father’s body has been recovered, while the mother and grandmother remain unaccounted for.

SDM Negi informed IANS via phone that the child's parents were engaged in agriculture, and her grandmother served as a peon in a local government office.

This family was uniquely affected by the flood in their village.

Nevertheless, the disaster's toll was much heavier in several villages in Thunag, where at least 14 lives were lost, with official reports indicating that 30 individuals are still missing.

According to SDM Negi, the baby has been entrusted to her father’s cousins, who also reside in the village, and fortunately, she has begun to adapt to her new family.

“The district administration has allocated Rs 25,000 as ex-gratia to the baby’s caretakers, along with ration kits,” she stated.

SDM Negi noted that there have been over 100 inquiries regarding the child's welfare, with many offering financial aid.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Mandi will establish a bank account for the minor, taking on the role of guardian. Government compensation will be deposited in her name as fixed deposits to ensure her education and well-being,” SDM Negi conveyed to IANS.

“Even donations will be directly deposited into that account to secure the child's future,” she added, mentioning that details will be finalized after the ‘kriya’ for the child’s father.

The Himachal Pradesh government offers Rs 4 lakh compensation for deaths resulting from natural disasters, regardless of residency or nationality, provided the fatalities occurred within the state.

Himachal Pradesh is currently grappling with severe monsoon destruction, with 78 confirmed fatalities and widespread infrastructure damage.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has visited the disaster-affected areas in Mandi and announced extensive relief measures, including monthly rental assistance for impacted families.

The state has incurred an estimated loss of Rs 700 crore, with nearly 300 roads obstructed and critical infrastructure severely compromised.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged full support, with a central team expected to assess the situation shortly.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are actively conducting search operations in various villages.

As reported by the Indian Air Force, two Mi-17 V5 helicopters have been dispatched for relief and rescue efforts in the area.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)