Cloudbursts in Himachal Leave 2 Dead, 20 Missing
Devastating cloudbursts struck parts of Himachal Pradesh on June 25, triggering flash floods that claimed at least two lives and left up to 20 people missing. The worst-affected regions included Kangra and Kullu districts, where sudden surges in water levels damaged infrastructure, swept away shelters, and disrupted daily life.
In Kangra district, two bodies were recovered from the Manuni Khad stream, where around 15 to 20 laborers working at a private hydroelectric project were staying in makeshift shelters. The cloudburst hit with little warning, and the floodwaters overwhelmed their accommodations, leaving several feared swept away.
Kullu district also witnessed severe damage. A cloudburst in Raila Bihal village resulted in three individuals—a man and two women—being reported missing. Flash floods affected multiple areas including Sainj, Gadsa, Banjar, and Manikaran, washing away homes, damaging roads and bridges, and inundating local businesses. The Brahmaganga and Hurla nullahs overflowed violently, causing widespread chaos and displacement.
Flash Flood Impact and Rescue Efforts
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and panchayat volunteers are engaged in ongoing search operations. The rough terrain and constant rainfall are hindering progress, while families of missing persons await updates with growing anxiety.
Important roadways, including stretches of the Manali–Chandigarh highway, have been washed out or blocked, isolating some villages and hampering relief efforts. Authorities have suspended water-based tourism activities in Kullu and issued advisories warning people to avoid riverbanks.
Weather Outlook and Preparedness
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts, including Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, and Mandi, over the coming days. Emergency shelters are being set up, and medical teams have been dispatched to vulnerable areas.
These repeated extreme weather events have highlighted the increasing climate vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh’s mountainous terrain. Officials are monitoring rainfall and water levels in real time, urging residents to follow safety advisories and report missing individuals promptly.
The focus now remains on locating the missing and restoring basic infrastructure before further rain aggravates the situation. The tragedy once again underscores the need for improved early warning systems and long-term disaster resilience planning in India’s hill states.
