(The New Indian Express)
Two people died and 20 were feared swept away as cloudburst, flash floods, and heavy rain wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday.
Two bodies were recovered from the Manuni Khad in Kangra district while around 15-20 workers stationed at a labour colony near the Indira Priyadarshini Hydroelectric project site were feared swept away following a surge in water level in the Khaniyara Manuni Khad, reported PTI.
According to officials, the workers were resting in temporary shelters near the project site, where work had been temporarily suspended due to rain, when floodwaters from Manuni Khad and nearby drains diverted towards it and swept them away.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local administration, gram panchayat, and the revenue department have reached the spot to carry out search and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, three people were reportedly washed away after multiple cloudbursts triggered flash floods in the Kullu district, causing widespread damage to houses, roads, school buildings, and small bridges.
Cloudburst incidents were reported from Jeeva Nallah and Rehla Bihal in Sainj, as well as from Shilagarh in the Gadsa area, prompting local authorities to issue alerts for nearby regions. In Rehla Bihal, one man and two women attempting to retrieve valuables from their home were swept away in the sudden deluge and are currently missing.
The heavy downpour led to a rapid swelling of rivers and streams, creating flood-like conditions across the district. The key Aut-Luhri-Sainj road was blocked, halting vehicular movement and cutting off access to several areas.
Videos circulating on social media reveal the severity of the flooding, with footage showing vehicles being carried away by muddy waters and debris.
Flash floods were also reported in Manali and Banjar areas within Kullu district, with search and rescue operations currently underway. Additionally, water from a flash flood in the Brahma Ganga drain in Manikaran Valley entered multiple homes, raising concerns of further damage.
Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Director D.C. Rana stated that the Parvati River was in spate. “So far, there have been no confirmed reports of fatalities or major property loss, but people are being advised to relocate to safer areas as a precaution,” he said.
Banjar MLA Surinder Shourie confirmed receiving multiple reports of damage due to intense rainfall in the Sainj, Tirthan, and Gadsa regions. He urged the public to remain cautious and avoid rivers and drains, while also calling on local authorities to respond swiftly to the developing crisis.
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring Lahaul and Spiti district, police reported the closure of the Kaza–Samdoh road due to landslides, debris, and overflowing drains. Water levels in both the Beas and Sutlej rivers have risen significantly.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh over the next 48 hours. Districts expected to be affected include Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Hamirpur, Solan, and Una.
