Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 26 (ANI): At least five people have lost their lives, and several others remain missing after heavy rainfall triggered cloudbursts and flash floods in Kullu and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The severe weather caused widespread destruction, with damaged homes, disrupted infrastructure, and extensive search and rescue operations underway.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and nearby states from June 25 to July 1. An orange alert has been issued for June 29, warning of very heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides in vulnerable districts such as Una, Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, and Mandi. While moderate rainfall is expected on June 26 and 27, heavier showers are anticipated toward the weekend.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reported that the state had witnessed cloudbursts at three locations and flash floods at nine others, resulting in five fatalities. He urged residents and tourists to avoid riverbanks and nallahs during the monsoon season to ensure safety.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), a cloudburst and sudden surge in river flow were recorded near the Jiwa Trench Weir in Majhan Nallah around 1:41 PM on Wednesday.
In Kullu, two individuals remain missing, while Kangra reported three confirmed deaths and five missing persons. Fifteen houses near rivers and streams were damaged, and several roads sustained severe damage.
One incident involved labourers at a power project in Manuni, near Dharamshala. Among them were Chain Singh (20) from Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, Aditya Thakur from Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, and Pardeep Verma (35) and Chandan, both from Sohanpur, Uttar Pradesh. One worker, Loveli from Poona village, Chamba, was rescued, while three others — Parmjeet, Nitin, and Bippan — are still missing.
In the Khaniyara area, the fifth deceased was identified as Sanjay, a resident of Pankura village, Nurpur, Kangra.
NDRF Commandant Baljinder Singh stated that rescue operations are ongoing in remote and inaccessible areas. “Only the NDRF and SDRF teams are able to reach the site. So far, six people have been reported missing, and one body has been recovered,” he said.
According to officials, approximately 250 people were rescued, and two bodies were recovered on Wednesday through joint efforts of SDRF, local police, and Home Guard volunteers. On Thursday, the NDRF recovered three more bodies, bringing the total to five. Four victims have been identified, while three people remain missing.
One survivor, rescued from a nearby forest, told officials that he and some companions had fled into the woods to escape the flash flood, but eight others were swept away.
In Kullu’s Sainj Valley, a cloudburst near Jeeva Nallah and Rehla Bihal on Wednesday afternoon resulted in three missing persons and significant damage to five houses. Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh confirmed the incident and said that a waterfall’s overflow swept away people and structures.
Eyewitness Anmol reported that the floodwaters submerged a one-megawatt power project, and NHPC’s facility was shut down. Another local, Chaitram, said, “Two women and a man were swept away by the flood. This has happened here before.”
The Siund area of the Sainj Valley also reported severe losses to a private power project and NHPC’s infrastructure. Temporary sheds and an emergency vehicle were destroyed.
Amid the worsening conditions, the Himachal Pradesh Police issued a public advisory, warning of significant risks in hilly terrain with fast-flowing rivers and landslide-prone areas. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated via IMD and official alerts. (ANI)
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