Himachal Pradesh: Two People Dead, Over A Dozen Missing Amid Flash Floods

Severe cloudbursts and intense monsoon rainfall wreaked havoc across several districts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday (25 June), leaving two people dead and over a dozen missing, reported Indian Express.

The deluge triggered flash floods, causing large-scale destruction, displacing residents, and damaging key infrastructure in Kullu and Kangra districts.

At least 10 persons were reported missing in Kangra district.

According to the IE report, Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa confirmed the recovery of two bodies and said rescue operations are ongoing to locate others, primarily workers employed at a small hydroelectric power project near Dharamshala.

“We have recovered two bodies so far, and efforts are underway to trace people who got washed away in Kangra on Wednesday… The victims were working at a small hydroelectric power project near Dharamshala, Kangra,” Bairwa was quoted as saying by IE.

In Kullu district, at least four cloudburst incidents were reported in Banjar, Gadsa, Manikaran, and Sainj.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh said, “Three persons went missing after cloudbursts in the areas of Banjar sub-division — Sainj valley — in Kullu… Different teams of the State Disaster Response Authority (SDRF) are engaged in the rescue operation. We are also in constant touch with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).”

In Manikaran’s Brahmaganga region, ntense rainfall triggered a cloudburst in the Brahmaganga area, leading to a rise in the water level of the Brahmaganga river. As a result, heavy debris flooded homes, forcing residents to flee.

Meanwhile, in Lahaul’s Udaipur sub-division, the Chokhang–Nainghar road was damaged by a swollen stream, halting vehicular movement.

Shimla, the state capital, also recorded heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.

The IMD issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Kullu, Kangra, Chamba, and neighbouring districts, warning of possible landslides and cloudbursts.

“Around 15 workers employed at Indira Priydarshni Hydro Project at Khaniara in Dharamshala were washed away in the fast current of water,” said MLA Sudhir Sharma.

The Himachal Pradesh Police has activated emergency response teams and urged residents to avoid travel and steer clear of water bodies amid a volatile monsoon.

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