Two persons were killed, and over a dozen went missing after cloudbursts led to flash floods in several districts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, officials said. While two bodies were recovered and at least 10 reported missing in Kangra district, three persons and as many houses got washed away in Kullu district.
Kangra’s Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said: “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. We have sought a detailed list of workers employed at the plant from the contractor concerned.”
At least four cloudburst incidents were reported in Banjar, Gadsa, Manikaran, and Sainj of Kullu district, officials said.
Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh said: “Three persons went missing after cloudbursts in the areas of Banjar sub-division — Sainj valley — in Kullu; two to three houses were also washed away. Besides, the water level has also increased in many parts of Manali sub-division. Necessary warnings have been issued. 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). Our priority is to trace the missing people. Instructions have been issued to suspend water-sports activities in Kullu.”
An official part of the rescue operation said: “Cloudbursts were reported in the Brahmaganga region of the Manikaran valley, Gomti river area in the Gadsa valley, including Banjar and Sainj. Several other streams, including the Jeeva Nala in the Sainj valley, also experienced cloudbursts, causing significant damage. In Jeeva Nala (Sainj), the cloudburst washed away sheds belonging to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).”
Meanwhile, IMD Shimla has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in district Kullu, Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmour and Solan along with one or two places in district Una in the next 24 hours. The alert will remain in effect till Thursday evening.
In the hills adjoining Manikaran, intense rainfall triggered a cloudburst in the Brahmaganga area, leading to a rise in the water level of the Brahmaganga river. As a result, debris entered several homes, forcing residents to flee to safer locations. Meanwhile, a temporary bridge over Parvati river in Baladhi village of Manikaran valley was swept away due to rising water levels. A portion of the bridge was completely destroyed, severing access to the village. The bridge had been built by villagers themselves after a disaster in 2024. With their only link now gone, villagers face increased hardship.
However, in the Thural area of Kangra district, a two-hour-long downpour flooded the market, causing severe inconvenience to pedestrians and shopkeepers. In the tribal region of Udaipur sub-division in Lahaul, the Chokhang–Nainghar road was blocked when a nearby stream suddenly swelled, damaging the roadway. Vehicle movement on this route has come to a halt. An HRTC bus got stranded after part of the road washed away. The Public Works Department has begun road repair work. Additionally, the rise in Chandrabhaga river level led to the collapse of a suspension bridge near Jasrath village, cutting off an irrigation scheme.
Shimla, the state capital, also recorded heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours. Rainfall recorded last night include: Palampur 145.4 mm, Jogindernagar 113.0 mm, Nahan 94.0 mm, Baijnath 85.0 mm, Paonta Sahib 58.4 mm, Gohar 55.0 mm, Kangra 37.4 mm, Jot 30.0 mm, Raipur Maidan 29.2 mm, Amb 25.6 mm, and Kasauli 22.0 mm.
In another incident, due to heavy rains, flow in a stream near Dekhchhu in Dharampur on the Jalandhar-Attari-Mandi National Highway was blocked by dumped soil intended for an under-construction bridge. This obstruction turned the stream into a lake, submerging the Gasia Mata temple, a sarai (inn), and a cremation ground. The halted streamflow has put several villages at risk.
Meanwhile, Shimla Meteorological Centre has forecast light to moderate rain across the state until July 1. Light to moderate showers are expected from June 25 to June 27 in most areas, and again from June 28 to July 1, 2025. An orange alert has been issued for heavy rain on June 25 in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur. A yellow alert is in effect for Kullu and Shimla districts.
Story continues below this ad
Given the heightened risk of floods, landslides, and cloudbursts following the active monsoon, the Himachal Pradesh Police Headquarters has issued an advisory. All district SPs have been instructed to alert and activate emergency response teams. Officials have been directed to inspect vulnerable locations and share emergency contact numbers with the public. People are advised to stay away from hillsides and water bodies and avoid unnecessary travel. Sensitive areas are to be monitored continuously, and local authorities must strictly follow guidelines when releasing water from dams.
MLA (Dharamshala) Sudhir Sharma said: “Around 15 workers employed at Indira Priydarshni Hydro Project at Khaniara in Dharamshala were washed away in the fast current of water.”
