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The devastating impact of flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh has resulted in a tragic increase in the death toll to 13, following the recovery of four additional bodies from the Mandi and Shimla districts on Sunday. The catastrophic events unfolded on the night of July 31, affecting multiple areas, including Kullu's Nirmand, Sainj, and Malana, Mandi's Padhar, and Shimla's Rampur subdivision.
The devastating impact of flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh has resulted in a tragic increase in the death toll to 13, following the recovery of four additional bodies from the Mandi and Shimla districts on Sunday. The catastrophic events unfolded on the night of July 31, affecting multiple areas, including Kullu’s Nirmand, Sainj, and Malana, Mandi’s Padhar, and Shimla’s Rampur subdivision. According to official data, over 40 individuals remain missing as rescue operations intensify. The floods have caused severe damage across the state, with Himachal Pradesh experiencing a staggering loss of Rs 662 crore from the onset of the monsoon on June 27 until August 4. The relentless rains have destroyed infrastructure, claiming lives and causing widespread devastation. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reported significant damage to both infrastructure and assets across the state, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
Search and rescue operations have been scaled up, with 410 personnel from various agencies involved in the effort. These include teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Himachal Pradesh Police, and home guards. Despite their efforts, the situation remains critical, with ongoing challenges in accessing affected areas. The floods have left three villages—Samej, Dhara Sarda, and Kushwa—without electricity since Wednesday night, and road infrastructure has been severely impacted. The local meteorological office has issued a yellow alert for the state, warning of heavy showers, thunderstorms, and lightning until August 8. The alert also includes a caution about potential landslides, flash floods, and damage to plantations, crops, and vulnerable structures due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
In response to the crisis, the state government has provided immediate relief, including Rs 50,000 for each victim and a monthly rent of Rs 5,000 for the next three months. Additionally, support for gas, food, and other essential items is being extended to those affected. Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, visited Samej village to assess the situation and meet with disaster-affected residents. The floods have also caused significant disruptions in the state’s infrastructure. A total of 87 roads are currently closed due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. Furthermore, 41 transformers and 66 water supply schemes have been affected, exacerbating the challenges faced by the residents.
Recent rainfall data shows that Hamirpur received the highest amount of rainfall at 54 mm since Friday evening, followed by Berthin and Dharamshala with 19 mm each. Other areas such as Neri, Kangra, Kukumseri, Sundernagar, Manali, Chamba, and Bajaura have also recorded varying amounts of rainfall. Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti experienced the coldest temperatures at night with a low of 12.1 degrees Celsius, while Una recorded the highest daytime temperature at 36.8 degrees Celsius. As Himachal Pradesh continues to grapple with the aftermath of these extreme weather events, the combined efforts of rescue teams and government agencies remain crucial in managing the crisis and supporting affected communities.
