Himachal Pradesh Hit by Deadly Flash Floods, Cloudbursts & Intense Monsoon

Heavy monsoon rains have battered Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours. These have triggered flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides across several districts. 

At least five people have died, and several others are missing as rescue operations continue.

Image Source: Stringer for IndianRepublic.in

In Kangra district’s Dharamshala area, a flash flood in the Manuni rivulet swept away labourers living near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydro Project in Khaniyara. 

Two bodies have been recovered so far, with six others unaccounted for. Emergency teams from the district administration, State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF and NDRF), and the local police are conducting search operations. 

Remaining workers have been relocated to safer sites.

Kullu district reported multiple cloudbursts in Jeevanala (Sainj), Shilagarh (Gadsa), Snow Gallery (Manali), and Hornagarh (Banjar), causing major damage to homes and infrastructure. 

In Sainj, three individuals were swept away and four houses destroyed.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next six days. 

Alerts for heavy precipitation have been issued for Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan. 

A yellow alert for flash floods is active in Chamba, Sirmaur, and Kangra. Authorities have urged both residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel.