Torrential rains over the past several days have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, triggering cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. Mandi district has emerged as the worst-hit region. According to official reports, a total of 10 cloudburst incidents – all from Mandi – have been recorded, causing massive destruction, loss of life, and widespread disruption to infrastructure and daily activities.
In addition to the cloudbursts, the state has also witnessed four flash flood events and numerous landslides. Authorities have raised concerns about the rising water levels, particularly at the Pandoh Dam in Mandi, which recorded its highest water discharge of the year at 1,57,000 cusecs. This figure underlines the intensity of the rainfall and the threat it poses to areas downstream.
As a safety measure, all schools and educational institutions in the affected areas have been shut for two days. The precautionary move aims to prevent further casualties and ensure that emergency personnel can focus on relief and rescue efforts.
Mandi district, officially declared the most severely impacted, has reported four fatalities – one each in the Karsog and Jogindernagar sub-divisions, and two in Gohar. The disaster has left four others injured and 16 individuals missing. In Gohar’s Siyanj area alone, nine people are reportedly stranded and awaiting rescue.
Emergency services have launched extensive evacuation operations. So far, 287 individuals have been rescued, including 233 from Mandi, 51 from Hamirpur, and three from Chamba. Despite these efforts, the catastrophe has also claimed 26 animal lives, further compounding the losses for rural households that depend heavily on livestock.
The damage to property and infrastructure is extensive. Ten houses and 12 cowsheds have been destroyed. The Manglore Bridge in Bali Chowki sub-division sustained major damage, impacting both transport and access for relief vehicles. Additionally, landslide debris has blocked Tunnels 11 and 13 on National Highway-305 in the Bali Chowki section, further hampering vehicular movement and delaying the delivery of critical supplies.
In response, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have mobilised multiple teams. Two teams from each agency have been deployed to key affected areas. An NDRF team has already reached the Karsog sub-division, while additional teams are being dispatched to Gohar and Thunag to intensify search and rescue operations.
