Mandi — In a heart-wrenching yet miraculous incident during the flash floods in Himachal Pradesh, an 11-month-old baby girl, Nikita, survived even as her parents and grandmother were swept away by raging waters on the night of 30 June in the Seraj Assembly constituency.
According to officials, Nikita’s father Ramesh, mother Radha, and grandmother Purnu Devi attempted to divert the overflowing stream behind their home amid heavy rainfall. While they were swept away, Nikita, who was asleep inside the house, was later found alive and unharmed.
Ramesh’s body has been recovered, while search operations for Radha and Purnu Devi are ongoing.
A viral video of Nikita, playing in the arms of Gohar SDM Smritika Negi, has caught the nation’s attention, showing the child blissfully unaware of the tragedy. Nikita is currently in the care of her paternal aunt Tara Devi.
Smritika Negi confirmed that many have come forward expressing willingness to adopt Nikita and said she personally spends time with the child whenever she visits.
Meanwhile, Smritika Negi was also seen helping two pregnant women stranded in the flash floods, personally transporting them to the hospital in her own vehicle. A video shared on X showed her overseeing their rescue and ensuring timely medical care with help from local villagers.
The flash floods that struck the region on 30 June and 1 July have claimed several lives and rendered many homeless, leaving the area devastated.
