Shimla: Ten-month-old Neetika is believed to be the sole survivor of her family after a devastating cloudburst struck Talwara village in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. Three of her family members are either confirmed dead or remain missing following the disaster.

Her father, 31-year-old Ramesh Kumar, had stepped outside their home early on Tuesday to stem the flow of water entering the house when the cloudburst hit. His body was later recovered from the debris. Meanwhile, Neetika’s mother, 24-year-old Radha Devi, and grandmother, 59-year-old Purnu Devi, ventured out to look for Ramesh. Both women are still unaccounted for.

The infant was found crying alone by a neighbour, Prem Singh, who took her to Ramesh’s cousin Balwant--a personal security officer to former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur.

“The baby is with us,” Balwant told news agency PTI. He added that the sub-divisional magistrate has proposed opening a bank account in Neetika’s name, which is expected to be set up by tomorrow.

“She [the SDM] mentioned that many people have been calling and offering support after hearing about the tragedy,” he said.

The cloudburst caused widespread destruction across several panchayats including Pawara, Thunag, Baidshad, Kanda, and Murad. Roads, power lines, and water supply systems have suffered extensive damage.

Authorities report that 14 people have died so far in 10 separate incidents involving cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides in the district. Rescue teams are still searching for 31 missing individuals.

Balwant also revealed that Neetika's father, Ramesh, had himself lost his father when he was just six months old. Ramesh worked as a farmer and had limited income, largely depending on his mother Purnu Devi’s salary. She was employed as a peon at a government school and was due to retire in seven months.

Local authorities have provided an ex gratia amount of ₹25,000 to Neetika’s relatives to help with her immediate care and expenses.